Six young athletes, affected by displacement, have been training together at the Complete Sports Athletics Training Centre in Kaptagat, Kenya, ahead of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Rachid Rechene, Florence Masimbi, Clement Niyomuhoza, Nyataba Kuek, Lourance Namukiza, and Arno Yfunga are set to make history as members of the first-ever Youth Refugee Olympic Team to compete at a Youth Olympic Games.
The athletes have spent weeks training together, building physical strength while developing trust and friendships required to compete as a team. Clement Niyomuhoza, a 16-year-old 800-metre runner and team captain, says the training camp has given them a great experience, allowing them to train together and push each other. The camp has become both a training environment and a place to build a sense of belonging for the young athletes.
Rachid Rechene, a 16-year-old Congolese sprinter who sought refuge in Uganda, is preparing for the men's 200 metres. He believes Dakar 2026 is a great chance for refugee youth, and the training at the centre has helped him make progress in his speed and time. Rechene's focus is firmly on competition, with his sights set on winning a gold medal. His ambitions extend beyond the track, as he hopes to build a home for orphans using the prize money.
The athletes will compete in athletics, judo, and taekwondo, with each having a unique background and discipline. They share the experience of developing their sporting ambitions while living away from their countries of origin. Dakar 2026 provides an opportunity for them to test their abilities on an international stage. The games, scheduled for 31 October to 13 November 2026, will bring together about 2,700 young athletes.
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that Dakar 2026 will mark the first appearance of a Youth Refugee Olympic Team at a Youth Olympic Games. This initiative builds on the IOC's creation of the first Refugee Olympic Team in 2015, which debuted at Rio 2016. The refugee programme has since expanded through the Olympic Refuge Foundation and other initiatives designed to increase access to sport for displaced young people.
For the six athletes training in Kaptagat, the historic moment is still weeks away. Their focus remains on training, preparation, and the opportunity to compete. The road to Dakar continues, with the young athletes working towards their goals. The team's participation in the Youth Olympic Games is an important milestone, as it brings attention to the experiences of refugee youth and their potential for growth and development through sport.
As the athletes prepare for Dakar 2026, they are not only competing for themselves but also for their communities. Their participation in the games serves as a testament to the power of sport to bring people together and provide opportunities for growth and development. The experience will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the lives of Rachid Rechene, Florence Masimbi, Clement Niyomuhoza, Nyataba Kuek, Lourance Namukiza, and Arno Yfunga.
Key points
- The six young refugee athletes are set to make history as members of the first-ever Youth Refugee Olympic Team to compete at a Youth Olympic Games.
- The athletes have been training together at the Complete Sports Athletics Training Centre in Kaptagat, Kenya, to prepare for the games.
- Dakar 2026 will mark the first appearance of a Youth Refugee Olympic Team at a Youth Olympic Games, building on the IOC's creation of the first Refugee Olympic Team in 2015.
