| Burundi at the 2012 Summer Olympics | |
|---|---|
 | |
| IOC code | BDI |
| NOC | Comité National Olympique du Burundi |
| in London | |
| Competitors | 6 in 3 sports |
| Flag bearer | Diane Nukuri |
| Medals |
|
| Summer Olympics appearances (overview) | |
Burundi competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012. This was the nation's fifth appearance at the Olympics.
Burundi, officially the Republic of Burundi, is a landlocked country amid the African Great Lakes region where East and Central Africa converge. It is bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and southeast, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west; Lake Tanganyika lies along its southwestern border. The capital is Gitega, having moved from Bujumbura in February 2019.
The 2012 Summer Olympics, formally the Games of the XXX Olympiad and commonly known as London 2012, was an international multi-sport event that was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012 in London, United Kingdom. The first event, the group stage in women's football, began on 25 July at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, followed by the opening ceremonies on 27 July. 10,768 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) participated.
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom. Standing on the River Thames in the south-east of England, at the head of its 50-mile (80 km) estuary leading to the North Sea, London has been a major settlement for two millennia. Londinium was founded by the Romans. The City of London, London's ancient core − an area of just 1.12 square miles (2.9 km2) and colloquially known as the Square Mile − retains boundaries that follow closely its medieval limits. The City of Westminster is also an Inner London borough holding city status. Greater London is governed by the Mayor of London and the London Assembly.
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Comité National Olympique du Burundi sent a total of six athletes to the Games, 4 women and 2 men, to compete only in athletics, judo, and swimming. Swimmer Elsie Uwamahoro was the only athlete in the team to participate in her second Olympics. Marathon runner Diane Nukuri, the oldest athlete of the team, made an Olympic comeback in London after a twelve-year absence, and reprised her role as Burundi's flag bearer at the opening ceremony.
Elsie Uwamahoro is a Burundian swimmer. She competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and ranked 67 overall, which was not enough to get Uwamahoro to the semifinals. She also competed in the 50 m and 100 m freestyle events at the 2013 World Aquatics Championships.
Diane Nukuri is a Burundian-American professional distance runner. She competed for Burundi as a fifteen-year-old in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney in the 5,000m and in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London in the marathon. Nukuri ran for the University of Iowa in college.
Burundi, however, failed to win a single Olympic medal in London. Track runner Francine Niyonsaba qualified for the final rounds in the women's 800 metres, but narrowly missed out of the nation's first ever medal after 16 years, finishing abruptly in seventh place.
Francine Niyonsaba is a Burundian runner who specializes in the 800 metres. She is a 2016 Olympic silver medalist in the 800 metres. Her silver medal was the first Olympic medal for Burundi since 1996. Niyonsaba finished second in 800 meters 7 race series of 2016 Diamond League. She improved her personal best to 1:56.24 at 2016 Herculis meet.
The Women's 800 metres competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom. The event was held at the Olympic Stadium on 8–11 August. The race was won by Mariya Savinova, but she has since been stripped of the gold medal for doping.
