BOA names Dakar Youth Games team

Barbados will be represented in three disciplines at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, which will run from October 31 to November 13. The disciplines are judo, swimming, and triathlon.

This was confirmed when the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) officially revealed the composition of the team on Monday. Barbados has competed at all three previous Summer Youth Olympic Games, held in 2010, 2014 and 2018

Judoka Deann Walton will compete in the under-52kg category, swimmer Victor Ashby in the 100m butterfly, while Alexis Lashley is set to take part in the women’s individual sprint triathlon. 

All three athletes are participants in the second edition of the BOA’s Youth Project Podium (YPP). Supported by the Amarone Charitable Trust and Panam Sports, YPP helps promising young Barbadian athletes develop their skills and prepare for top-level international competition. 

Three team officials will accompany the contingent: Chef de Mission Gail Craig-Archer, Physiotherapist Kwayne Dalrymple, and Press Attaché Kendia Brathwaite. Each athlete will also be supported by a coach – Ian Weithers (Judo), Harold Lewis (Swimming) and William Lashley (Triathlon).

Speaking about the squad’s journey and readiness for the international stage, Chef de Mission Gail Craig-Archer said, “Watching our athletes and coaches prepare for Dakar has been deeply moving. 

“These games offer our young competitors a rare chance to test themselves against the best while connecting with peers from across the globe in an atmosphere built on mutual respect. We are heading to Senegal as one unified team, ready to compete with heart and dignity.”

BOA President Sandra Osborne said the delegation’s participation reflects a commitment to helping young people fulfil their potential and ensuring they have equal opportunities to succeed. She also sees the team’s participation as a reminder to young Barbadians that their ambitions can take them far beyond the island’s shores. 

“Sport has a unique way of opening doors and broadening horizons for our youth. As our team steps onto the world stage in Senegal, they embody the aspirations of all our young athletes, male and female, who are driven by dedication and purpose. 

“It is also not lost on us that this will also be the first time that an Olympic event will be hosted on the African continent, and we are pleased to be competing at this historic event,” Osborne stated.

The games, originally planned for 2022 but postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will bring together athletes aged 17 and under from 206 countries to compete in a programme featuring 25 competition sports, 10 non-medal engagement sports and 153 events in total. 

(KH/PR)