[3] Djibou Issaka, a gardener and swimming pool attendant,[4] was chosen by Niger to train as a sculler just three months prior to the 2012 Summer Olympics, receiving his first training in competitive rowing in Egypt, then spending two months at the International Rowing Development Centre in Tunisia.
He was chosen for a wild card from the IOC Tripartite Commission, adding him to the full pool of otherwise qualified rowers, in a program that seeks to develop sports outside traditional competitors.
On 28 July, Djibo Issaka gained widespread press attention for his first Olympic appearance in the 2000 metre single sculls heat, in which he finished last with a time of 8:25.56, almost a minute behind his nearest competitor and almost 1 minute 40 seconds behind the winner, Mahe Drysdale.
[5][6] While crowds and the press cheered him, British former Olympic Gold Medal rower Steve Redgrave criticised Djibo Issaka's inclusion.
In total, Djibo Issaka rowed in four rounds of the competition, finishing in last position in each race.