At just 19, Claire Uwitonze is quickly becoming one of Africa’s most exciting middle-distance runners, and particularly Rwanda’s brightest hope for an Olympic medal. Plying her trade at Sina Gérard Athletics Club, Uwitonze made headlines at the International Flutlicht Meeting in Germany, where she struck gold in the women’s 800m, setting a new national record of 2:00.32. Her performance on September 2 was nothing short of remarkable. At the same event just a year ago, she crossed the line in 2:04.00. To cut nearly four seconds at elite level in one season is considered extraordinary, and it has placed Uwitonze firmly on the course of dreaming of a medal at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Can she finally end Rwanda’s medal jinx at the Olympic Games? “Claire has made remarkable progress in just one year,” Peter Ndacyayisenga, Technical Director of the Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF), told Weekend Sport. “Considering her age, natural build, and stride advantage, our goal is for her to reach the 1:56.00 mark by 2028 which would make her a strong contender for Olympic gold.” ALSO READ: LA 2028 Olympics: What does Umulinga bring on table? Ndacyayisenga’s confidence is backed by science and history. At the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson claimed the women’s 800m title in 1:56.72. Uwitonze’s target is to run 1:57.00 by 2027 and hit 1:56.00 in 2028, putting her on par with Olympic-winning standards. Under the Rwanda Athletics Federation’s structured long-term plan, Uwitonze’s progression is carefully mapped out. By 2026, she is expected to run the 800m in 2:00.00 and the 1500m in 4:03.00. The following year, her targets were set at 1:57.00 in the 800m and 3:55.00 in the 1500m. Looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the ultimate goal is for her to hit 1:56.00 in the 800m and 3:49.00 in the 1500m which would both place her firmly within Olympic gold medal contention. Uwitonze’s rise is not happening in isolation. RAF has entered into strategic partnerships to give her and other young talents the best possible support. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s Niyonkuru strikes gold as Kenya’s Korir reclaims Kigali marathon title One key partner is Global Sports Communication, a Dutch-based management agency representing global icons such as Faith Kipyegon and Eliud Kipchoge. The federation also works with Silvesterlauf Trier in Germany, which co-launched the Rise and Shine Project to nurture Rwanda’s young athletes with world-class coaching, modern equipment, altitude training programs, and access to elite competitions. These efforts are slowly bearing fruit, giving Uwitonze and her teammates including rising star Emeline Imanizabayo, who recently clocked a personal best of 4:11.25 in the 1500m the foundation they need to compete on the world stage. For Rwanda, Uwitonze is more than a rising star, she is a symbol of a nation’s athletic ambitions and, if her trajectory continues, she could become Rwanda’s first Olympic gold medallist in track events, inspiring a new generation of athletes. “Looking ahead, her long-term performance targets are aligned with world-class benchmarks,” Ndacyayisenga emphasized. “To win Olympic gold in the women’s 800m, history shows an athlete needs to run around 1:55–1:56. With her current trajectory, reaching 1:56.00 by 2028 is realistic and within her physiological ceiling.”
