DAKAR — Swimmer Hamed Al Hasani led Oman’s delegation at the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on Saturday, describing his flag-bearing role as a career milestone as he prepares for his debut in the pool.
Al Hasani carried the national flag into the Stade Abdoulaye Wade in Diamniadio, where more than 55,000 spectators gathered to celebrate the opening of the first Olympic event held on African soil.
The young swimmer and other members of Oman’s delegation wore traditional national dress during the athletes’ parade.
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“I felt an immense sense of pride and honour to be among the young athletes carrying their countries’ flags,” Al Hasani said. “It was a truly special moment that reflected the strongest values of national pride, belonging and loyalty to our homeland.”
Al Hasani will begin Oman’s campaign in the men’s 400m freestyle on Tuesday, November 3, at the Complexe Tour de l’Œuf in Dakar.
His competition programme was revised after organisers, in coordination with World Aquatics, cancelled the men’s and women’s 800m freestyle events scheduled for Sunday because of high water temperatures in the pool.
Al Hasani, who has been training under Algerian coach Mohamed Bouguera, said his priorities were to improve his times and gain experience against international opposition.
“I will do my best to deliver positive results and set new personal bests during these Games,” he said. “At the same time, I want to gain as much experience as possible from this competition and use it as a foundation for my future international appearances.”
He thanked Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Oman Olympic Committee and the Oman Aquatics Association for supporting his development.
Oman has three athletes competing at the Games, which run from October 31 to November 13.
Taekwondo athlete Ziyad Al Balushi is scheduled to contest the men’s under-48kg category on November 8 at the Iba Mar Diop Arena. Fencer Jana Al Sharji, a world championship silver medallist, will compete in the women’s individual épée on November 10 at Dakar Expo in Diamniadio.
Oman’s delegation is headed by Oman Olympic Committee board member Khalfan Al Naabi. Oman’s ambassador to Senegal, Rashid Al Badi, also attended the opening ceremony.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry were among those attending the ceremony, which combined music, dance and artistic performances with the parade of nations and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
