Thursday 29 / October / 2026
DAKAR: Oman’s swimmer Hamed bin Sulaiman al Hasani has begun his final preparations for his debut at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, with the young athlete aiming to gain valuable international experience and deliver strong performances in the pool. The Omani aquatics team became the first national team from Oman to arrive at the Olympic Village in Dakar, marking the start of the Sultanate of Oman’s participation in the fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13.
The team comprises Hamed, Algerian coach Mohamed Bouguerra and members of the administrative, medical and media staff. The delegation was received at Blaise Diagne International Airport by Saheem bin Khalaf al Subhi, Acting Chef De Mission of Oman’s delegation.
Following his arrival, he will begin his daily training sessions at the swimming venue in Dakar on Friday as he will prepare for the men’s 400m and 800m freestyle events, scheduled for November 1 and 3, respectively. For the young swimmer, the Games represent an important milestone in his sporting journey, offering an opportunity to test himself against some of the most promising young talents from around the world. Hamed, who is currently in Grade 12, was born on January 24, 2010. He specialises in freestyle events ranging from 100m to 1,500m, as well as open-water swimming. His personal bests include 4:27 in the 400m freestyle and 9:21 in the 800m freestyle.
The Omani swimmer has followed a preparation programme designed to help him approach the competition in the best possible condition. According to coach Bouguerra, Hamed attended a training camp in Egypt from August 19 to September 1 before continuing his preparations at the swimming pool of the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat.
Bouguerra described participation in Dakar 2026 as a valuable opportunity for the young athlete, particularly given the level of competition expected at the Games. He acknowledged that progressing to the later rounds would be challenging, as Hamed will face swimmers with considerable ability, including athletes born in 2009. However, the coach stressed that the experience itself would be important for the swimmer’s long-term development. The immediate objectives are to compete confidently, gain exposure to a high-level international field and, where possible, improve his personal bests. Such experience could also provide additional motivation as Hamad continues his development within Oman’s swimming programme.
The Omani delegation will also feature athletes in taekwondo and fencing, with the remaining team members expected to join the Olympic Village in the coming days. Taekwondo athlete Ziyad bin Ali al Balushi is scheduled to compete in the men’s under-48kg category on November 8 at the Iba Mar Diop complex in Dakar. Fencer Jana al Sharji will contest the women’s individual épée event on November 10 at Dakar Expo in Diamniadio.
Al Sharji will arrive at the Youth Olympic Games following an impressive achievement on the international stage beside her current campaign in Bahrain at Asian U23 Fencing Championships and FIE Épée World Cup (Manama World Cup 2026). She had managed recently to secure a silver medal at the World Fencing Championships in Costa Rica.
The staggered arrival of the athletes reflects the delegation’s preparations for their respective competition schedules, while logistical arrangements have been completed to support the team throughout the event. Al Subhi said preparations had been made to facilitate the delegation’s participation, including accommodation, transportation and access to competition and training venues. As Acting Head of Delegation, he has also been attending daily meetings with delegation heads at the Olympic Village, where organisers address operational arrangements and provide updates on the Games. These meetings cover transport services, venue access, the opening ceremony and accommodation arrangements, alongside health and safety guidance for visiting teams. Athletes and officials have been advised to take precautions against mosquito bites and malaria risks, while also managing exposure to high temperatures and the possibility of heatstroke.
