[2] The Burundi team included three athletes: runners Joachim Nshimirimana and Francine Niyonizigiye, as well as swimmer Elsie Uwamahoro.

[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.

[11] During the qualification round, which took place on August 19, Niyonizigiye competed in the sixteen-person second heat.

The heat was led by Zakia Nassar from Palestine and Karishma Karki from Nepal who swam 31.97 and 32.35 seconds, respectively.