It can be a daunting task for anyone in sports to attempt to compete against the very best in the world without any professional training or the resources and facilities that can put you at that level. But that did not stop Pamela Girimbabazi Rugabira, an Olympic swimmer who represented Rwanda in the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Olympic Games, proudly bearing Rwanda’s flag at the 2008 games in China. Looking back, it was a major feat for the now 40-year-old mother of four, who never had formal swimming lessons or a regular coach, but went on to compete in major international events, driven by sheer determination and passion. The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi left the sports industry, like many other sectors, depleted and underdeveloped. With the country looking to rebuild, giving priority to key sectors and certain sports like football, which united people, several other areas were left behind due to limited resources, and one of them was swimming. However, the lack of resources or facilities did not deter Girimbabazi, who was determined to represent the country in the discipline, relying on the internet, which was also limited at the time, to teach herself the rules of the sport. Girimbabazi, who is arguably Rwanda’s most renowned swimmer, borrowed a swimming book from fellow Rwandan swimmer Jackson Niyomugabo and learned to swim in shallow swimming pools at hotels. While her track record cannot be judged based on the medals she could have won in the various competitions she participated in, it was her sheer determination and courage to put herself on the global stage that impressed many people. In fact, it was this very determination that earned her celebrity status in the sport, with many recognising her effort and never-give-up spirit in taking on a difficult sport and competing against athletes born and nurtured to excel in it. Born in January 1985 in the Central African Republic (CAR), Girimbabazi, the second born of four siblings, developed a love for swimming at an early age, having lived in different countries as a child, including Burundi, before returning to Rwanda with her family after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. “We moved a few times, initially living in Burundi before returning to Rwanda after the genocide. I did part of my primary education in Burundi and Rwanda. When we returned to Rwanda, I continued my primary education at La Colombiere, and later joined Lycée Notre-Dame de Cîteaux for secondary school in 2012. I then pursued university studies at Kigali Independent University (ULK),” says Girimbabazi. Today, she has two master's degrees – one in International Economic Business Law, making her a lawyer by profession, and another in Sports Leadership. Currently, she works with the Rwanda Red Cross, which she first joined as a lawyer but later transitioned into disaster management. She is currently overseeing disaster response efforts in the country. Childhood dreams and career aspirations As a child, Girimbabazi always dreamed of becoming a lawyer or judge because she hated injustice and believed that by pursuing law, she could help people and make a difference in her community. “My second career option was to become a doctor. I thought, maybe if I can’t be a doctor, I can be a lawyer to help people in need. But, as I progressed in my studies, I encountered different challenges and opportunities,” she says. “I started my professional journey as a lawyer, joining the Bar Association and working in a law firm for one year. However, I soon realised that the legal profession was not exactly what I had envisioned. This led me to pursue a master's degree in humanitarian law, hoping to make a meaningful impact,” Girimbabazi says. Journey into Swimming Girimbabazi was born into a sporting family, with a mother and father who loved sports, and that, in a way, inspired her. “Both my parents were passionate about sports—my father played basketball, and my mother was also active in sports. Growing up, I was always involved in different athletic activities,” Girimbabazi says. Initially, she played basketball, but when she started secondary school, she transitioned into swimming. At the time, swimming was not well-developed in Rwanda. It was mostly for leisure, and formal training was rare. In 1998, Rwanda organised its first swimming competition. A representative from the Ministry of Sports and Youth visited different swimming pools in Kigali to recruit potential swimmers for the national team. She participated in the competition and won first place, and that victory motivated her to continue training and maintain her position. When the selection process for the 2000 Olympic Games began, Rwanda was only allowed to send one male and one female swimmer. I was chosen as the female representative at the international level. Since 2000, she has participated in numerous international competitions, representing Rwanda, including the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, an International Swimming Competition in Canada in 2003, the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, competitions in Melbourne, Australia in 2005, the Shanghai competition in China, and the Beijing Olympics in 2008. She also participated in a national competition in Mongolia in 2010 – the same year she retired and decided to focus on coaching the next generation of swimmers. Encountering challenges along the way One of the biggest challenges Girimbabazi faced in her career was the lack of resources and support for swimming in Rwanda because, at the time, the sport was underdeveloped. It was a daunting task, considering that she had to compete against athletes from countries with well-established swimming programmes, which made it tough for her. “I often had to self-fund my trainings, as there was little financial or structural support for athletes in Rwanda,” she says, adding that despite these challenges, she always believed that nothing was impossible. “I trained hard and aimed to improve my personal best times. My goal was to inspire other Rwandan swimmers, and show them that success was possible,” she says, narrating how she would hop from one swimming pool to another to hone her skills. None of the pools were Olympic-sized. ALSO READ: Olympic team urged to fight for medals Switching careers from swimming to coaching After retiring from professional swimming, Girimbabazi focused on coaching young swimmers – wanting to pass on her knowledge, and legacy to develop future talent in Rwanda. Between 2020 and 2024, she served as the president of the Rwanda Swimming Federation, with part of that period falling under the Covid-19 pandemic, which complicated her work, considering that swimming was one of the activities prohibited for a long time to avoid spreading the virus. ALSO READ: Former Olympian Girimbabazi elected swimming body president During her tenure, Girimbabazi prioritised increasing the number of professional swimmers, training more coaches, and improving the visibility of swimming as a sport in Rwanda. “One of my greatest achievements was organising the East African Swimming Competition in Rwanda. Many people doubted that we had the necessary facilities, but we successfully hosted over 400 swimmers from 11 countries,” “Rwanda even secured first place in some events, proving that with dedication and organisation, we could compete at a high level,” she notes. It was, and still remains, an uphill task to grow and develop swimming as a sport in Rwanda, as it largely remains obscure despite more young swimmers emerging. ALSO READ: Swimming team intensify preps for Cana tournament Girimbabazi’s biggest motivation was to continually improve her personal bests, despite the challenges, and to inspire young Rwandans by showing that international success was achievable. As president of the Rwanda Swimming Federation, her vision was to expand the sport's reach, improve organisational capacity, and inspire the next generation of swimmers. Some of Girimbabazi’s major achievements as president include organising the East African Swimming Competition in Rwanda, demonstrating that international competitions were feasible locally. Rwanda hosted more than 400 swimmers from 11 countries, enhancing the country's visibility in the sport. During her tenure, she also had the privilege of hosting the President of the World Swimming Governing Body (FINA), Husain Al Musallam, who visited Rwanda. Among other accomplishments, Girimbabazi was able to secure several international partnerships, including projects to construct new swimming pools in Rwanda, thereby improving training facilities. She was also directly involved in establishing more swimming clubs to train young talent. “Although I have retired from competitive swimming, I remain actively involved in the sport through coaching and supporting my club. I am, especially, focused on empowering women and girls in swimming,” she says, adding that her vision is to see Rwandan swimming achieve international recognition. Her journey has been about breaking barriers and creating opportunities for others – from being the first female Olympic swimmer to represent Rwanda to leading the Swimming Federation. She was also Rwanda’s flag bearer during the Opening Ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympics. “My goal has always been to inspire and uplift future generations. I believe that with strategic planning and continued commitment, Rwandan swimming can achieve global success,” she says. Encouraging the next generation of swimmers For the love of the sport, Girimbabazi is still largely attached and affiliated with swimming and hopes to inspire more young girls to take a big leap of faith and dive into the deep end. “For young girls who aspire to become professional swimmers, my message is simple: Parental support matters. When parents support their children’s athletic dreams, they can reach great heights,” she says. For them to make it to the top, Girimbabazi encourages young girls and women to focus on their goals and what they want to achieve, regardless of the challenges they encounter along the way. “Challenges will come, but staying focused will help you succeed. The other thing is commitment is key – success in sports requires dedication and perseverance,” she says. Girimbabazi believes that swimming in Rwanda is still developing, but with continued efforts, it can become a top sport in the country and bring in medals and honours. However, she observes that this can only be achieved if the government or investors prioritise investing in proper training facilities and trainers, increasing awareness, and providing young athletes with the support they need.
