Eric Moussambani

Eric Moussambani, popularly known as “Eric the Eel”, was the first swimmer to represent Equatorial Guinea at the Olympic Games. Making an appearance at the 2000 Olympics, he won countless hearts despite being the slowest of the pack. Invited as a wild card by the International Olympic Committee, Eric had never even seen an Olympic-sized pool. Eric’s story is one that illuminates the power of resilience and a positive mindset.

Unlike athletes from other countries, Eric had not received any formal training for the Olympics. He learned to swim at the hands of the fishermen, who taught him how to coordinate his arm and leg movements lest he sunk. He trained in a hotel pool, which was only 13m long as compared to a 50m long Olympic sized pool. When he got to Sydney, he tried to learn from other teams whose practice sessions coincided with his, asking them to teach him how to dive.

Eric was selected for the 100m freestyle category, assigned by the International Olympic Committee who made the token invitation to promote sports in developing countries such as Eric’s. One of three people on the blocks, Eric’s two opponents were disqualified, leaving him to race alone. Battling the fear that he would be ridiculed by spectators, Eric decided to have faith in himself and do the best he could. He dove into the water and began swimming, and soon the entire crowd was cheering him on, much to his surprise. Eric won the first heat, albeit finishing last and with a gap of over 1 minute to the gold medallist.

Many in Eric’s position would feel disappointed with this result, however, Eric took pride in the fact that he was cheered on by that many spectators. It is said that the greatest victory is not giving up in the face of loss – Eric exemplified that in every sense. Since his appearance at the Olympic Games, Eric served as the National Team Coach for Equatorial Guinea. The embodiment of perseverance and determination, Eric Moussambani, is available to hire as a speaker for a wide range of events. Enquire now!