Zimbabwe has unveiled an 11-member squad that will represent the country at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, as preparations intensify for the first Olympic event to be hosted on African soil.
The team was officially presented at the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) offices in Harare on Wednesday, with athletes set to compete in seven sporting disciplines.
Team Zimbabwe Chef de Mission Ms Chamboko said the selection process was conducted through a rigorous and transparent system involving national sports federations, technical evaluations and approvals from relevant authorities.
“The team was selected through a comprehensive process involving National Sport Federations, technical evaluations and approvals by the relevant sporting authorities after Zimbabwe received athlete quota allocations from the International Olympic Committee,” she said.
“Each federation nominated its top athletes for the allocated events before the final team was confirmed.”
The athletes head to Dakar with confidence following Zimbabwe’s strong showing at the 2025 African Youth Games in Luanda, where the country won 21 medals.
Zimbabwe Olympic Committee president Mr Thabani Gonye said the Youth Olympic Games were a key component of the country’s long-term athlete development strategy.
“As Team Zimbabwe prepares for Dakar, we are reminded that youth sport is central to the future of our nation’s sporting success,” he said.
Gonye added that the initiative was aligned with the ZOC 2026–2033 Strategic Plan, particularly its focus on building a structured athlete development pathway.
“All athletes selected for Dakar will be entered into the ZOC Athlete Management System to monitor their development and support evidence-based decision-making throughout their careers,” he said.
Sports and Recreation Commission director-general Mr Allen Mavunga said the commission would continue working with ZOC and national sporting associations to strengthen youth sport.
“The Sports and Recreation Commission remains committed to working with the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, National Sport Associations and other partners to strengthen youth sport, promote good governance and ensure that our athletes are supported in a manner that reflects national pride and responsibility,” he said.
The athletics contingent includes Prudence Kasuwa in women’s discus throw and Tanatswa Magwindi in men’s triple jump, while Rohnan Nicholson will compete in men’s road race cycling.
Terry Angelos will represent Zimbabwe in equestrian jumping, with Makanaka Vanessa Nherera competing in women’s under-78kg judo.
Swimming has the largest representation, with Alexis Johnsen, Daniella Viki, Connor Grist and Kwandokuhle Nkomazana selected for various freestyle and butterfly events.
The squad is completed by Arianna Robinson in women’s coastal rowing beach sprints and Rachel Jennifer O’Donoghue in women’s individual triathlon.
The Dakar Youth Olympic Games will run from 31 October to 13 November 2026, creating history as the first Olympic event to take place on the African continent.
