Six young athletes will make Youth Olympic history in Dakar as the first Refugee Team prepares to compete at the Games, led by 16-year-old 800m runner Clement Niyomunoza, Made In Africa Sport reports.
Niyomunoza, who fled Burundi with his family in 2015 and grew up in Kenya‘s Kakuma refugee camp, has been named captain of the team that will compete at Dakar 2026.
“I am the captain of this team,” Niyomunoza told teammates and officials during the team’s presentation at its training camp in Kaptagat, Kenya.
The declaration was met with cheers from his teammates as the teenager introduced himself to representatives from the International Olympic Committee, World Athletics, national Olympic committees, UNHCR and Athletics Kenya.
Niyomunoza will lead a six-athlete delegation at the Games, which begin on 31 October.
He will compete in the 800m alongside fellow athletes Rashid Rochene, Florence Masumbi and Nyataba Kuek, while Lourance Namukiza will compete in taekwondo and Arno Yafunga in judo.
Together, they will become the first Refugee Team to compete at a Youth Olympic Games.
‘I am not scared’
Despite his age and the significance of the opportunity, Niyomunoza said he was not intimidated by the prospect of competing on such a historic stage.
“How can you get scared of a big opportunity like this?” he told Olympics.com.
“The first Youth Olympics in Dakar, I’m so happy. I am not scared of people.”
His confidence has also impressed Eliud Kipchoge, the marathon great and global ambassador for Dakar 2026.
“The captain is sharp, a good boy. He deserves to lead the team; the future is bright,” Kipchoge said.
Niyomunoza has trained at high altitude in Kaptagat as the team prepares for its historic appearance in Dakar.
Refugee Team: A platform for future Olympians
The team is being led by Yiech Pur Biel, who competed as part of the Refugee Olympic Team at Rio 2016 and will serve as chef de mission in Dakar.
Biel believes the opportunity can help give young refugee athletes greater visibility and access to opportunities through sport.
“They don’t need to be forgotten. These young people have talent; they need that platform to showcase their talent,” he said.
The Refugee Team’s appearance will add another historic dimension to Dakar 2026, which will be the first Olympic event held in Africa.
The journey from fleeing Burundi and growing up in Kakuma to captaining a team at the Youth Olympic Games represents an opportunity for Niyomunoza to compete while carrying the experiences of a much wider refugee community.
The six athletes will now head to Dakar seeking more than results, with their presence set to become part of the history of the first Youth Olympic Games on African soil.