Hamid Al Hasani, a young Omani swimmer, is determined to turn the experiences gained from the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games into stronger performances at the Arab Swimming Championship, which will be held in mid-November in Bahrain.
Valuable Experiences in Dakar
Al Hasani recently completed his campaign at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, finishing second in the men's 400-meter freestyle preliminary round with a time of 4:29 minutes, ultimately placing 31st among 33 participants. The 800-meter freestyle event that was scheduled for him was canceled due to high water temperatures in the Olympic pool.
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Although Al Hasani did not reach the finals, this experience was very valuable for him. He believes that competing with some of the world's talented young swimmers has broadened his understanding of the sport.
Preparation for the Arab Championship
Al Hasani stated, "I gained valuable technical and personal lessons in Dakar. Competing in the Youth Olympic Games allowed me to understand the demands of swimming at a high level, learn from international athletes, and identify weaknesses that I need to work on."
He also mentioned observing the preparation routines and approaches of swimmers from different countries as a useful opportunity, considering living in the Olympic Village as a chance to interact with athletes from various cultures and learn more about the Olympic movement.
Al Hasani noted that he hoped for better results, adding, "This experience has increased my motivation to work harder. My aspiration to win a medal and stand on the podium has not changed."
He is now focusing on the Arab Swimming Championship and is expected to compete in four freestyle events, including 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, and 1500 meters. He hopes to turn the lessons learned from Dakar into improved times and strong challenges for medal contention.
Mohammed Bougra, the head coach of the swimming team, also described the Youth Olympic Games as an important opportunity for learning, especially in exposing the swimmer to international standards in training, nutrition, fitness, and race strategy. He emphasized that this experience will help broaden Al Hasani's technical understanding and provide a useful foundation for his ongoing development.
The coaching team has incorporated the lessons learned from the Games into Al Hasani's planning for the Bahrain competitions, focusing on improving his performance in all four events.
Meanwhile, Oman's participation in Dakar 2026 continues in other sports; Zaid Al Balushi, a taekwondo athlete, is set to compete in the men's under 48 kg category on November 8, followed by Jana Al Sharji participating in the women's individual épée on November 10.
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