Overcoming Challenges: Kathleen Noble's Remarkable Journey to Success in Landlocked Uganda

From learning to row in makeshift boats held together by duct tape to reaching the world championships in a completely different sport, Kathleen Noble's path to the top of rowing has been anything but ordinary.

Now, at 29 years old, Noble is on track to become a two-time Olympian. She proudly represented Uganda at the Tokyo Games and will be competing again at Paris 2024. Not only is she Uganda's first Olympic rower, but she is also the first and only White Olympian from the African nation in any sport.

A skilled swimmer during her younger years, Noble competed for Uganda at the 2012 World Swimming Championships when she was only 17. Later, while studying at Princeton University, Noble decided to give rowing a try on a whim.

"I never expected to compete at a high level or to end up heading in this direction when I first started rowing," says Noble in an interview with CNN Sport.

It still feels a bit surreal to be competing on a stage like this. It wasn't until Uganda told me they wanted to send me to the Olympic qualifiers that I realized there might be something special happening.

I have been facing some equipment issues.

Rowing is a sport that is still in the early stages of development in many parts of Africa, including Uganda. In 2009, the World Rowing Federation donated boats to Uganda to help grow the sport, which can be expensive to start due to financial barriers.

British Olympic Rower, Helen Glover is gearing up for the Sport Relief All-Star Games: Birmingham 2022. This event will feature two teams made up of para and non-disabled sporting legends and celebrities. The goal is to raise funds for Sport Relief by competing in five Birmingham 2022 sports during the Commonwealth Games. The exciting competition will take place in front of live audiences at the official venues. Helen Glover was captured training at Lee Valley VeloPark in London on July 19th, 2022.

British Olympic Rower, Helen Glover trains in preparation for the Sport Relief All-Star Games: Birmingham 2022. Two teams of para and non-disabled sporting legends and celebrities are set to go head-to-head at this summers Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, all to raise life-changing money for Sport Relief.The teams will take on five Birmingham 2022 sports, competing in front of live crowds at the actual venues during the Games. Taken in Lee Valley VeloPark, London on the 19th July 2022.

Alex Wallace/Comic Relief/Getty Images

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Noble discovered her passion for rowing individually while training on boats, which was different from rowing as part of a team during her university days.

Training on Lake Victoria, one of Africa’s Great Lakes and the world’s largest tropical lake, may seem charming and serene. However, preparing to compete at the Olympic level is not realistic in Uganda due to the lack of opportunities and investment in rowing. This led Noble to train in Tennessee under former US rower James Martinez.

According to Noble, rowing is not a popular sport in Uganda. She mentions being the first person, male or female, to qualify for the Olympics. The sport remains niche and the rowing community in the country is very small. Noble even personally knows every single rower in Uganda.

In 2016, I decided to take a break from university to go rowing in Uganda. It turned out to be a great decision because it gave me the opportunity to see the challenges that rowers face every day in a new light.

One of the biggest issues is the lack of competition and proper coaching. Additionally, rowers in Uganda struggle with basic necessities like having equipment that works properly.

"When I used to row on Lake Victoria, we were still using the boats that were given to us in 2009. We had to constantly repair them by duct-taping and asking others to patch them up with fiberglass."

Kathleen Noble competes in the single sculls final at the Tokyo Olympics.

Kathleen Noble competes in the single sculls final at the Tokyo Olympics.

Lee Jin-man/AP

Rowing's growth in the east African country has been hindered not only by the lack of equipment but also by governance issues. Many athletes have left the sport recently because promises were made but not always kept, as noted by Noble.

The sport can only move forward with support and funding from external donors like the World Rowing Federation.

According to Muhumuza Rodrick Chandi, the technical director of the Uganda Rowing Federation, the high cost of equipment and a shortage of coaches have been challenges in the country.

"It's a fact that there is a shortage of coaches in Uganda, as many qualified coaches have moved to other countries in search of better opportunities," he explains. "In Uganda, sports like rowing rely on voluntary efforts, so when these coaches find better prospects elsewhere, they often migrate or stop coaching altogether.

"The Ugandan Rowing Federation faces challenges due to limited funding, mainly because it receives minimal financial support from the National Council of Sports, which views it as a minor sport."

‘Honor’ representing Uganda

Born in Nakaseke, central Uganda, in 1994, Noble is the daughter of Irish missionaries.

"Growing up in Uganda was wonderful for me in so many ways. The weather was always great and the people were friendly and cheerful," she remembers. "However, being a White, blonde child, I sometimes hesitated to go out in public because of the attention I would attract."

Even though Noble is aware of her differences, she found that sports helped her to forge a stronger bond with her homeland.

"Even though I hold Ugandan citizenship, being Ugandan is more than just that. It's about belonging to one of the local tribes, having a connection to the land, and a rich history with ancestors that go back generations," she explains.

"I do acknowledge and respect that aspect, but I also grew up in Uganda. It's a place that holds significance for me, and it's important for me to be accepted as a true Ugandan by the people," she adds.

Representing my country is a great honor. It has always been a way for me to feel connected to my Ugandan identity. When I was growing up, I used to tell people I was from Ireland, even though I was born and raised in Uganda.

However, as I have become more involved in representing Uganda and competing in rowing, I have started to feel a stronger sense of pride in being Ugandan.

Noble made her Olympic debut in Tokyo.

Noble made her Olympic debut in Tokyo.

Seb Daly/Sportsfile/Getty Images

Noble’s acceptance by Ugandan sports fans has also been a great source of encouragement.

Noble acknowledges that she sometimes receives negative messages on social media criticizing her representation of Uganda. However, the majority of messages from fans and the media have been supportive and proud of her efforts to raise the profile of Ugandan rowing.

Despite facing criticism, Noble remains grateful for the overwhelming support she receives. She recognizes that negativity is inevitable in high-level sports, especially with the presence of social media. Nevertheless, she is touched by the outpouring of positivity that follows any negative comments directed towards her.

A platform for change

Noble is not just focused on her sporting ambitions. She also works as a software engineer in Tennessee. In addition, she and her husband are homesteaders with a small-scale farm where they produce food and raise animals for themselves.

Like every athlete, she hopes that her Olympic journey will culminate atop the podium, but she does also head to Paris with a compelling sense of realism.

The Olympic rings are seen outside the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the opening day of a executive board meeting in Lausanne on March 19, 2024. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters in Lausanne displays the iconic Olympic rings. It was captured on the first day of an executive board meeting on March 19, 2024. The photo was taken by Fabrice Coffrini for AFP.

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"Rowing isn't the type of sport where you can just wake up one day and suddenly row faster than ever before," Noble explains.

"It's more about consistency and hard work. Sports that rely heavily on cardiovascular strength typically have predictable outcomes. While my goal is to compete at a high level, I also need to be practical and set realistic expectations for myself."

Winning a medal is not the only measure of success for an Olympian. Noble hopes that her participation in the Games can bring more attention to rowing in Uganda and help other athletes in the country. She feels a responsibility to support athletes back home, regardless of her own performance. Whether she wins or loses, Noble receives a lot of media coverage.

I think the spotlight on the Olympics is more important than my specific position. It allows me to bring attention to the challenges faced by athletes in Uganda on a global scale.

Rowing, especially singles rowing, can be a lonely sport, something Noble knows firsthand.

But come July 26 when the Paris Games get underway, she will have the backing of an entire nation eager to witness what will, no matter the end result, be more Olympic history for Uganda.

Editor's P/S:

Kathleen Noble's inspiring journey from duct-taped boats to the Olympic stage highlights the challenges and triumphs faced by athletes in developing nations. Noble's determination and resilience serve as a testament to her unwavering passion for rowing, despite limited resources and a lack of opportunities in Uganda. Her unwavering commitment to representing her country and advocating for the growth of the sport is a powerful example of the transformative power of sport.

Furthermore, Noble's experiences shed light on the systemic issues that hinder the development of sports in many parts of Africa. The lack of proper equipment, qualified coaching, and financial support pose significant barriers to athletes' success. Noble's advocacy for increased investment and support for Ugandan rowers underscores the urgent need for addressing these challenges to level the playing field and create opportunities for aspiring athletes. Her story serves as a catalyst for change, inspiring others to recognize the importance of empowering athletes from all backgrounds and ensuring equitable access to sporting opportunities.