Burundi at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Burundi had participated in three previous Summer Olympics, between its debut in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, United States and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.^[2] At its debut, the country sent seven athletes to the games, all of whom competed in athletics.^[7] The largest number of Burundian athletes participating in the summer games is seven in 1996 and 2004.^[2] The only Burundian competitor to win a medal at the Olympics was Vénuste Niyongabo, who won gold in the men's 5000 metres in 1996.^[7][8] Three athletes from Burundi were selected to compete in the 2008 Olympics: Joachim Nshimirimana in the men's marathon, Francine Niyonizigiye in the women's track and field 5000 metres and Elsie Uwamahoro in the women's 50 metre freestyle swimming.^[5][6]

At the 2008 Olympics, Burundi was represented by one male in athletics,^[6] marathon runner Joachim Nshimirimana.^[6] At age 35, Nshimirimana was the country's oldest competitor, and was competing at his second Olympics. He competed in the 2004 Olympics, also in marathon.^[9] He competed on the 24 August in Beijing,^[10] and finished 68th out of 95^[a] in a time of 2 hours, 29 minutes and 55 seconds, over 23 minutes behind the winner, Samuel Kamau Wanjiru.^[10]

Francine Niyonizigiye, Burundi's flag bearer at the opening ceremony,^[4] competed on Burundi's behalf at the Beijing Olympics, in the women's 5000 metre races.^[11] Born in 1988, Niyonizigiye was 19 years old at the 2008 Olympics.^[11] Niyonizigiye previously competed in the 2004 Olympics, also in the 5000 metres.^[11] During the qualification round, which took place on August 19, Niyonizigiye competed in the sixteen-person second heat.^[b] She finished the race in 17 minutes, 8.44 seconds, finishing in fourteenth place, the last of the finishing athletes, after Russia's Yelena Zadorozhnaya was disqualified.^[12] Niyonizigiye finished just under a minute behind thirteenth placing Hungarian Krisztina Papp.^[12] The heat itself was led by Ethiopia's Meseret Defar (14 minutes 56.32 seconds).^[12] Of the 32 competitors to finish the event's first round, Niyonizigiye ranked 31st.^[13] She did not advance to later rounds.^[13]