Hamad bin Sulaiman Alhasani, a young Omani swimmer, is beginning the final stages of his preparation for his first appearance at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics, striving to gain valuable international experiences and deliver strong performances in the pool.
Beginning the Journey to Dakar
The Blue Team of Oman, as the first national team of the country, has arrived at the Olympic Village in Dakar, marking the Sultanate of Oman's participation in the fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games. This event will be held from October 31 to November 13 of this year.
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The team consists of Hamad, Algerian coach Mohamed Bouguerra, and members of the administrative, medical, and media staff. The Omani representative was welcomed at Blais Dioune International Airport by Saheem bin Khalaf Al-Sabahi, head of the Omani delegation.
Preparing for the Competitions
After arriving in Dakar, Hamad will begin his daily training at the swimming competition venue to prepare for the 400 meters and 800 meters freestyle events, which will take place on November 1 and 3, respectively. These games are considered a significant milestone in his athletic journey and provide an opportunity to test himself against some of the world's youngest talents.
Hamad, who is in the twelfth grade, was born on January 24, 2010, and specializes in freestyle events ranging from 100 meters to 1500 meters, as well as open water swimming. His personal records include 4:27 in the 400 meters freestyle and 9:21 in the 800 meters freestyle.
The Omani swimmer has followed a special training program to be in the best condition as he approaches the competitions. Coach Bouguerra noted that Hamad participated in a training camp in Egypt from August 19 to September 1 and then continued his training at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex pool in Muscat.
Coach Bouguerra described participation in Dakar 2026 as a valuable opportunity for this young athlete, especially considering the level of competition expected. He emphasized that advancing to the next stages will be challenging, as Hamad will face swimmers with significant abilities, including athletes born in 2009. However, his experience will be an important element in his long-term growth.
Preparations to facilitate the participation of the Omani delegation have included planning for accommodation, transportation, and access to competition and training venues. Al-Sabahi, as the head of the delegation, has participated in daily meetings with the heads of delegations at the Olympic Village to review operational arrangements and provide updates on the games.
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