"I don't know if anyone knows I'm Finnish"

Yolanda Ngarambe was born and raised in Märsta outside Stockholm. Since she was a child, life as a runner has interested her.

- I already decided when I was young. I just enjoyed running. I used to run a lot in Finland during the summers, every Thursday it was a Thursday race where I always ran 100 or 800 meters, says Yolanda and continues.

- It was when I was a little older, about fifteen years old, that I started running every day. But before that I ran mostly because it was fun.

The fact that running would become a part of her life was always a matter of course to her. But in the US, where Yolanda now lives, her childhood dreams have come true, as she trains for the Atlanta Track Club daily.

- The biggest difference is that I have many club mates in the US, I never run myself. The attitude in the US is a little different too. If I have a dream, my coach peeps me and says I can do anything, says Yolanda.

- I like it, that's what I need, people who believe in me in a big way.

Last year, Yolanda injured her knee and was away from the racetrack for more than eight months due to the injury.

Yolanda has nevertheless recovered, and this year has personally been her best.

- I came back this year. It was fun that it went so well. I got new personal records and competed at Finnkampen. Still, it feels good to know that after a year of injuries, you can come back so soon.

Many Swedish-Finnish athletes have been asked to compete for Finland in national team context. Among other hockey professionals Mika Zibanejad and discus thrower Daniel Ståhl.

For Yolanda Ngarambe, the decision was not difficult.

- I don't know if people know I'm Finnish too, I don't really know. So that's why I haven't received any requests.

- But I have always known that I am Swedish first, then Finnish and Ugandan, because my dad comes from there. But deep down I am Swedish.