By Zim Sport Live Writer
The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) has unveiled an 11-member team that will represent the country at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, with the delegation featuring some of the nation’s brightest young sporting talents across seven disciplines.
The Games, scheduled for October 31 to November 13, will be a landmark occasion as they become the first Olympic event to be staged on African soil, offering Zimbabwe’s rising stars an opportunity to compete against the world’s best junior athletes.
Led by Team Zimbabwe Chef de Mission Charmaine Chamboko, the team which showcases the depth and growth of talent in Zimbabwe swimming, athletics, cycling, rowing, triathlon, equestrian and judo.
Addressing the announcement, ZOC president Thabani Gonye described the selected athletes as the next generation of Zimbabwean sporting champions.
“The athletes we announce here today from the seven member national federations, I believe, would be part of or at least influence Zimbabwe’s next generation of champions,” said Gonye.
He stressed that investing in youth sport was critical to the country’s long-term success.
“Some of them may go on to represent the country at senior continental and international competitions, including the Olympic Games. For that reason, our investment in youth sport is very strategic and critical as an investment for the future. Building an elite athlete is a long process and not an event.”
Gonye also paid tribute to the coaches, technical officials, medical personnel, administrators and families who have supported the athletes on their journey.
Athletics will be represented by Prudence Kuswa (women’s discus) and Tanatswa Magwindi (men’s triple jump), while swimming contributes the largest contingent with Alexis Johnsen (50m freestyle), Viki Daniella (800m freestyle), Connor Grist (400m freestyle) and Kwandokuhle Nkomazana (50m butterfly).
The remaining sports will each have one representative: Nicholas Rohan (cycling), Arianna Robinson (coastal rowing beach sprints), Rachel O’Donoghue (triathlon), Terry Angelos (equestrian) and Vanessa Nherera (judo).
The Youth Olympic Games provide an important stepping stone in developing future Olympians, with Team Zimbabwe expected to complete its final preparations and anti-doping education programme before departing for Senegal.