When Oussama Mellouli climbed up the starting blocks number 7 for the 1,500m freestyle final in Beijing 2008, the world just had eyes for… Grant Hackett. The weight of the yellow Australian cap and the two last Olympic gold medal of the event in the baggage, the world record, the flashes, the cameras, the noise of the crowd, everything pushed the lane 4 legend to the top. Again. But Mellouli did not think so.

The first 500 metres, the Tunisian of 24 years old at the time completed in second last. At 1,000 metres, he already occupied the third place, close to the leaders Hackett and Cochrane. With 50 metres to go, Mellouli was the leader. In the end of the almost 15 minutes event, he reached the touch pad 69 hundredths of seconds before his opponent. He grabbed the lane, took a deep breath and tapped his chest. Incredulous, the public cheered with one of the greatest surprises of the Games.

It was the first individual gold medal from an African swimmer. “When the first achieves a result like this, the others have a tendency to follow. In my country, the number of people practicing Swimming increased four, five times after the victory. The structure for the development of the sport has grown as well. The families encourage their children to learn and devote themselves to this activity, just like the example that is close to them”, celebrates the idol, winner of the second gold medal of his country, after Mohammed Gammoudi in the Athletics 5,000 metres, in 1968.

African glory

The endurance and determination of the Tunisians is a mirror of Africa within the Olympic history. Two other countries of the continent have won medals in Swimming. South Africa, the pioneer, saw in Joan Cynthia Harrison (100m backstroke in Helsinki 1952) the inspiration for the two breaststroke gold medals of Penny Heyns in Atlanta 1996, in the 100m and 200m. In 2004, Athens witnessed the unforgettable duel in the men’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay, in which the South African team defeated the United States team, that counted on Michael Phelps.

Zimbabwe has also heard the Anthem with a representative on the highest place of the podium. Kirsty Coventry, current twice-champion of the 200m backstroke and world record holder, personifies hope for millions.

“In my country, there is a lot of inequality, but I am an example of someone who did not come from a rich family and was able to achieve your goals. In sport, everybody is alike, no matter the colour, the race or the country. Inside the pool, court, or field, there is no differentiation. Symbolically, it shows the world that it is possible to live with the different. It brings lessons for people’s lives and for the country”, says Kirsty at her first visit to Brazil.

Hope and development

Watching the Olympic dream come true also to Rio de Janeiro is exciting to the champions. “This victory takes hope not only to South America, but also to all regions in development, the possibility to be as good as the others, or even better. It is important to Brazil and its borderline countries”, says Mellouli, scholar of the Olympic International Committee Olympic Solidarity Programme.

“Brazil has a lot of potential. Successful Games in Brazil will be an example to other centres. This city welcomes people, and this is what Rio will show in 2016. It is great that athletes cpuld feel that the city and its people are participating, to feel this atmosphere and energy. Sport is all about that”, completes the Zimbabwean.

South America and Africa are the last borders to be crossed by the Olympic Games. In Oussama Mellouli and Kirsty Coventry’s opinion, not for long.

“Africa hosted an edition of the FIFA World Cup last year and it was a good experience, even if there were some problems. Receiving the best athletes at your own country inspire people. I hope and believe this will happen in the future”, says Kirsty, followed by the Tunisian. “Brazil breaks barriers. It is another proof that some nations can overcome their challenges. The example of the World Cup taking place at the African continente fits to the Olympic Games.”

In 2016, with 32 years old, both intend to be at Rio, even if not inside the pool. The records, flashes, cameras, comes and goes. It will all be overcame, as the barriers of a whole continent. Reaching the top seemed impossible to most people, but to Mellouli and Conventry, it did not.