 Gianluca Bortoli IslandStats.com
Four athletes will represent Bermuda in three sports: athletics, swimming and triathlon.
In Dakar they will compete against the best athletes in their age group from around the world. Selection was highly competitive, and the BOA is extremely proud of these young athletes, who will wear Bermuda's colors on the international stage.
The delegation will be led by Chef de Mission Ashley Yearwood, who will oversee the team throughout the Games, working alongside Games management in Dakar to support the athletes across all three sports.
Team Bermuda
Athletics - Tatiana Sousa
Swimming - Maggie Mewett and Noah Maranzana
Triathlon - Gianluca Bortoli
Coaches Terry-Lynn Paynter, Geri Mewett, Michael Harlow
Ashley Yearwood said: “As Chef de Mission for Team Bermuda, I am honored to travel to Dakar, Senegal, to support and lead our young Bermudian athletes as they represent our island at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. This is a truly historic edition of the Youth Olympic Games—the first Olympic sporting event to be held on African soil—and it provides a wonderful opportunity for our athletes to compete, learn, build friendships and experience the rich culture and hospitality of Senegal.”
“I am both honoured and grateful for the opportunity to represent Bermuda at the Youth Olympic games. When starting Javelin, I never dreamed I would get to compete at such a high level. But now that I am, I will make every effort to implement technique and utilise the strength I have built up this off-season,” noted Tatiana Sousa.
Triathlete Gianluca Bortoli said: “I am excited to have been selected to compete at the Youth Olympic Games. Competing at these Games has been a goal of mine for the last two years, and to earn selection after racing against Bermuda’s and the region’s top juniors makes this a special accomplishment for me. It will be an incredible experience to compete at such a high-level event, and I hope it will be a huge development opportunity.”
“Representing Bermuda in any meet is an honor and a privilege, one far greater than any experience before, but to do so on the world stage at the Youth Olympic Games is unreal. I am beyond excited to be able to compete and represent my country in the YOG and do my best in every event I do,” as described by swimmer Noah Maraganza.
Teammate Maggie Mewett stated. “Competing at the Youth Olympics is an incredible honor and I’m so proud to have the opportunity to represent Bermuda on an international stage. I’ve worked really hard to get to this point and I’m excited to see that hard work pays off while competing alongside some of the best young athletes from around the world. I hope to make Bermuda proud and enjoy every moment of this amazing experience!”
“The Youth Olympic Games are a vital steppingstone for our most promising young athletes,” said BOA President Peter Dunne. “Tatiana, Maggie, Noah and Gianluca have earned their places through hard work and commitment, and they carry the pride of the whole island with them. We also thank the coaches, families and national federations whose support has brought them to this point. We know they will represent Bermuda with distinction in Dakar.”
|
