Kenya’s swimming team is seeking redemption at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games after three of its competitors missed out on final places in their respective 100m races, shifting attention to the remaining events as they pursue improved performances.
Jeremy Rieck, Macrine Kalombo and Neo Olengo failed to progress from Tuesday’s, November 3, heats but will return to the pool with further opportunities to compete for stronger results before the swimming programme concludes on November 6.
Rieck came closest to securing another final appearance, clocking 59.15 seconds in Heat Four of the men’s 100m backstroke to finish ninth overall. He missed the eighth and final qualifying position by just 0.42 seconds, leaving him as the first reserve for the final.
The Kenyan had earlier reached the men’s 100m butterfly final on the opening day, where he finished sixth in 55.51 seconds, giving the country an encouraging result in the swimming competition.
Despite missing out on the backstroke final, Rieck remains focused on making the most of his first Youth Olympic Games appearance. He is scheduled to compete in the men’s 50m butterfly before concluding his campaign in the 50m backstroke on November 5.
The swimmer described the competition as an educational experience, saying the lessons gained from competing against international opponents would help him improve when he returns to training.
“It’s quite educational and when I go back to my training, I’ll take what I’ve learned from here and implement it in training so that I can become better and faster,” Rieck said.
Kalombo also missed qualification in the women’s 100m breaststroke after recording 1:23.33 in Heat Two, finishing 20th overall in the event.
She will compete in the women’s 200m individual medley before completing her programme in the 50m breaststroke on November 5. The swimmer is targeting improved personal bests and hopes to secure a place in a final during her remaining appearances.
“I have 200m tomorrow and 50 breaststroke on the next day, and I’m hoping for improved personal best and good times. I’m very proud of myself and I’m hoping for the best,” she said.
Kalombo added that interacting with swimmers from different backgrounds had exposed her to different training approaches and mental preparation techniques, which she hopes to incorporate into her development.
Olengo, meanwhile, recorded 1:08.49 in Heat Three of the men’s 100m breaststroke, finishing 15th overall and missing out on the final.
He is scheduled to return for the men’s 50m freestyle before completing his campaign in the 50m breaststroke on November 5.
Isabelle Mwangi completes Kenya’s four-member swimming contingent and was yet to make her debut at the time of the initial heats report. She is scheduled to compete in the women’s 50m freestyle before rounding off her campaign in the 200m freestyle on November 6.
The Kenyan quartet qualified for the Games following impressive performances at the 2026 Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Zone Five Youth Games, where Kenya dominated the swimming competition with 12 gold, 10 silver and one bronze medal.
Their regional success raised expectations ahead of the Dakar competition, but the Youth Olympic Games have presented a different challenge, with the swimmers facing competitors from across the world.
With more races remaining, Kenya will be hoping its young swimmers can translate the experience gained in Dakar into improved times and stronger performances as they continue their international development.
