From the Guardian

The first ever Ethiopian swimmer to compete at the Olympics is a hero in Ethiopia which is more famed for its long-distance runners

When Ethiopias flag bearer Yanet Seyoum took to the water for her Olympics 50m freestyle heat, it was a fair bet that most of her fellow competitors would not have endured a training regime of avoiding doggy-paddling tourists in a hotel swimming pool, or relied mainly on written instructions from a coach who lives in another city.

Yanet - the first swimmer from Ethoipia to ever make it to the Olympics - came last in her heat and failed to make it to the semi-final. But the 18-year-old, a lone swimmer in a country famed for its long distance runners, has high hopes for the future.

"I would like to see professional swimmers in my country. But this requires swimming clubs." Said Yanet before she depart to London Olympics.

Ethiopia has won 38 Olympics medals, 18 of them gold, since the 1956 Games, every one of them in running events of 3,000m or longer. When you look at the country's swimming infrastructure it is not hard to see why the sport has not featured. The Ghion's pool, Olympic size but often cold and sometimes busy, is Yanet best option for training.

Her unique status has already brought a measure of celebrity and despite coming last in her heat, Yanet will return home a champion.