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Diane Nukuri is a three-time Olympian who represented Burundi in the 5000 meters at the Sydney 2000 Games at age 15 and moved up to the marathon for the London 2012 Games. After serving as the country’s flag bearer in the 2012 Opening Ceremony, Nukuri finished 31st in the marathon in 2:30:13. She competed over 26.2 miles in London again in 2015, lowering her national record by to 2:27:50, a personal best time by one minute and 45 seconds. Nukuri also holds Burundian national records for 1500, 5000, 10,000 meters, and the half-marathon.

In 2016, Nukuri earned her third Olympic berth, and once again represented Burundi, this time in the 10,000 meters. She finished 13th in the fastest edition of that event in Olympic history. At the 2016 TCS New York City Marathon, she finished in fifth place in 2:33:04.

In 2017, Nukuri became a U.S. citizen and posted her second-fastest TCS New York City Marathon time. She did not race a fall marathon in 2018 due to an Achilles injury.

Originally from Kigozi, Burundi, Nukuri fled the country’s civil war at age 16, finding shelter with a relative in Pickering, Ontario, Canada. While she learned English and adapted to her new home, she was recruited to run for the University of Iowa. In her career as a Hawkeye, she earned three NCAA All-American honors.