KIGALI, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan swimmer Eric Iradukunda has a crystal clear vision of competing at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

At 21, Iradukunda, who only started swimming as a teenager, still believes he will be able to focus and train to achieve his goal.

"Participating in the Olympic Games, this is what I want to achieve before I stop swimming," Iradukunda told Xinhua on the sidelines of the recent Open Water championship in eastern Rwanda's Rwamagana district.

The competition at Lake Muhazi drew 70 participants across 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, 3,000m, and 5,000m categories for both male and female swimmers.

Iradukunda showed spectators what he is capable of by winning the 5,000m freestyle, and said he dreams to make history for his country by winning at the Olympic Games.

Teammate Nema Nyirabyenda, who won 5,000m and 1,500m races in the women's category, said she was proud of their showing in the competition.

"In Rwanda no one can challenge me in 5,000m and I'm proud of it," she said.

Nyirabyenda, 28, recalled that there many people in her village had discouraged her from pursuing swimming as a sport.

"It was until 2020 when I made a trip to Tanzania for an international tournament that they started to appreciate swimming," she said.

Pamella Girimbabazi, president of the Rwanda Swimming Federation, said that Rwanda has many young talents in swimming, adding that a second open water competition is planned for later this year to select participants for international competitions.

Zephanie Niyonkuru, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, said the ministry is ready to develop swimming by upgrading the necessary infrastructure. Enditem

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