If there is any sport that has brought teenagers to the brim at this year’s London Olympic Games, then swimming should not be left out.
Ugandan swimmer Jamila Lunkuse may have finished last in heat 5 of the 50m freestyle but her name is already etched in Uganda’s Olympic history books.
At 15, she earned a wild card to the XXX Olympiad. She made her way to the Aquatic Centre waters in
lane 8.
Although she did not progress, she gave it her best and clocked 28:44, +2.89 behind the time her school mate Meilutyte Ruta swam to the end of the pool.
Lunkuse and Ruta, both students from Plymouth College will have great memories of this global event despite differences in the achievements.
Ruta, at 15 too, won the women’s 100m breast stroke gold and her feat counts for Lithuania’s reason to be on the medal chart.
With many years ahead, Lunkuse, who trains with Ruta under coach Jon Rudds can hope to leap bigger steps in the event and who knows she, could the country’s medal prospect in Rio de Janiero.
For now, she will cheer on her classmate to the end and had her coach been allowed to the Games Village, perhaps it would be a different story.
Women’s 50m freestyle
Heat 5 – Results
1. Meilutyte Ruta (25.55)
2. Nikitina Gabriela (26.26)
3. Pigot Chinyere (26.30)
8. Jamila Lunkuse (28.44)