Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE has unveiled an 11-member team that will represent the country at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, as preparations gather momentum for the first Olympic event to be staged on African soil.
The squad was officially presented during a ceremony at the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) offices in Harare on Wednesday, with athletes selected to compete in seven sporting disciplines.
Team Zimbabwe’s Chef de Mission, Ms Chamboko said the athletes were chosen through a rigorous and transparent selection process involving national sports federations and the relevant sporting 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. Each federation nominated its top athletes for the allocated events before the final team was confirmed,” she said.
The athletes head to Dakar buoyed by Zimbabwe’s impressive performance at last year’s African Youth Games in Luanda, where the country collected 21 medals.
Zimbabwe Olympic Committee President Mr Thabani Gonye said the Youth Olympic Games are central to 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. The foundation we are building today aligns with our 2026–2033 Strategic Plan, particularly Capability One, which focuses on performance enhancement through a deliberate, systematic long-term athlete development pathway.”
He added that every athlete selected for Dakar would be entered into the ZOC Athlete Management System to monitor their development and support evidence-based decision-making throughout their careers.
Sports and Recreation Commission Director General Mr Allen Mavunga reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to strengthening youth sport through collaboration with the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, national sports associations and other stakeholders.
“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.
He said sustainable sporting success depends on robust development systems, quality coaching, sound administration and increased investment in youth sport.
The athletics team comprises Prudence Kasuwa (women’s discus throw) and Tanatswa Magwindi (men’s triple jump), while Rohnan Nicholson will compete in the men’s road race cycling event.
Terry Angelos will represent Zimbabwe in equestrian jumping, with Makanaka Vanessa Nherera competing in the women’s under-78kg judo category.
Swimming accounts for the largest contingent, with Alexis Johnsen (women’s 50m freestyle), Daniella Viki (women’s 800m freestyle), Connor Grist (men’s 400m freestyle) and Kwandokuhle Nkomazana (men’s 50m butterfly) all earning selection.
The team is completed by Arianna Robinson, who will compete in the women’s coastal rowing beach sprints (solo C1x), and Rachel Jennifer O’Donoghue in the women’s individual triathlon.
The 2026 Youth Olympic Games will be held in Dakar, Senegal, from 31 October to 13 November, marking the first time an Olympic event will be hosted on African soil.
