Eric Moussambani, the swimmer from Equatorial Guinea whose determination to finish his race thrilled the Sydney crowds as an example of the Olympic spirit, began swimming only in January.
The only other two participants in his 100m freestyle heat were disqualified but Moussambani doggedly pressed on. He had never swum the distance previously.
"I didn't want to swim 100m but my coach told me that I should do it anyway. I thought it was too much, but I made it," he said in remarks quoted on the official Olympics website.
The Games are the first international event he has taken part in, and the trip to Sydney is his first out of his homeland.
When he appeared to be struggling to finish, spectators rose to cheer him on with the same enthusiasm as they had shown to Australian swimmers previously, according to news agency reports.
Reuters reported that he was taking part as part of a plan by the sport's world governing body FINA to promote swimming in countries not already competing. His national swimming federation was formed only six months ago and has only seven members.
The 22-year-old Moussambani has played basketball "just for fun" in the past. He recently finished school and now plans to study science at university.
He carried the flag for his country's delegation in the opening ceremony. "They needed a small swimmer to do it, and nobody knew who I was. But now, when I go home, everyone will know," he said.
