According to Rwanda's Presidency, President Kagame commenced his visit on Thursday, July 25, 2024, by participating in the Sports for Sustainable Development Summit held at the Louvre.
Organized by the French Presidency and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), with support from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Summit offers a unique platform for Heads of State and Government, international organization leaders, athletes, and representatives of the sporting movement and development finance sectors to come together.
On Friday, July 26, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame will attend a reception hosted by President Emmanuel Macron, followed by the Olympics Opening Ceremony.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, 2024, are the 33rd Summer Olympics since the inaugural event held in Athens, Greece, in 1896.
Rwanda first participated in these Games in 1984 in Los Angeles, with three athletes competing in track events. Since then, Rwanda has consistently participated, gradually increasing the number of athletes over the years.
Notably, 10 Rwandan athletes competed in the 1992 Barcelona Games, and five athletes represented Rwanda in the 2020 Tokyo Games, held in 2021.
For the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Rwanda is fielding eight athletes across various disciplines, including cycling, swimming, track events, and fencing.
Clémentine Mukandanga will compete in the 42-kilometer marathon, while Yves Nimubona will run the 10-kilometer race.
The cycling team includes Eric Manizabayo, who will compete in the road race, Diane Ingabire, who will participate in both the road race and the individual time trial (ITT) for women, and Jazilla Mwamikazi, who will compete in mountain biking.
In swimming, Oscar Peyre Mitilla Cyusa will compete in the 100-meter butterfly, and Lidwine Umuhoza Uwase will participate in the 50-meter freestyle. Tufaha Uwihoreye will represent Rwanda in fencing.
Additionally, Rwandan Jean de Dieu Mukundiyukuri will make history as the first black referee to officiate Beach Volleyball events at the Olympic Games.
IGIHE
