Meet Naomi Ruele, Botswana’s First Olympic Swimmer

It’s just over three weeks before the 2016 Rio Olympic Games begin, and Botswana is celebrating and basking in an important milestone. The hype over the country’s history making swimmer, Naomi Ruele is surely growing by the day.  Ruele is the first swimmer from Botswana to qualify for the Olympics, and she is just the second female from the country to compete at the Olympics after Amantle Montsho.

The talented swimmer received her official selection letter for the 2016 Olympics last week, and is set to make her maiden appearance at the summer competitions in Rio de Janeiro.

Ruele who is based in United States at Florida International University (FIU) qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in March this year, in the  50 Free category after clocking an approved time trial of 26.07.

The 19 year-old swimmer was recently named the Junior Female Sportsperson of the Year by the Botswana National Sports Council, a remarkable achievement. Ruele has competed in a number of junior competitions, winning numerous medals along the way.

NAOMI RUELE WINS 7 MEDALS – one for EVERY event she swam in @ the Conference #USAChampionships Congratulations @FIU pic.twitter.com/cYy4RNohNB

— Botswana Government (@BWGovernment) March 17, 2016

Since moving to the U.S. Ruele has been impressive in the collegiate athletics competitions. According to FIU, the 19 year-old was perfect during the recent C-USA Championships (14 universities participate), winning gold in each of the seven events she swam in (three individual, four relays). Ruele was also named the C-USA Swimmer of the Meet, and also set two school records during the championships (100 Free and 200 Free Relay).

In a country which is hardly known for its sporting prowess, but more for its natural beauty, economic and political stability, Ruele’s swimming achievements and Olympics qualification have set tongues wagging with pride and hope that she will put in a stellar performance.

Social media messages on Ruele’s qualification.

Congratulations to Naomi Ruele!!!Keep waving our flag high!BW is proud of u!RIO is goin to Catapult u to the world stage!!

— 7 Fig Nig (@MaxSoDapper) March 21, 2016

Congratulations to Naomi Ruele

She is making history …

Becoming Botswana's 1st swimmer at Olympics #Rio2016

— Hon Robert Panzirah (@infinitybw) July 10, 2016

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Naomi Ruele, has been selected to represent Botswana at the 2016 #RioOlympics ! #riobound🇧🇼. pic.twitter.com/95HaowJ2QM

— Prince De Kok (@PrinceDekok) July 10, 2016

Congratulations to Naomi Ruele on Qualifying for the Olympics #shapingwomen

— Global Shapers Gabs (@GlobalShapersGC) March 23, 2016

Naomi Ruele making us proud. And congrats to Naomi and the team behind her excellence and qualifying for the Olympics in Rio. 󾮞󾮞󾮞󾮟󾮟󾭻󾭻󾭻󾍘󾍘󾍘󾍘

— Ted & Kumar (@lvronvTED) March 20, 2016