By GPC Sports Reporter
Team Kenya swimmer Jeremy Rieck made an impressive start to his campaign at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, finishing sixth in the men’s 100m butterfly final with a personal best time of 55.15 seconds.
Rieck booked his place in the final after finishing third in Heat Three before producing an improved performance in the medal race to clock his new personal best.
Team Kenya manager Thaddeus Wamunyu described the performance as an encouraging start, noting that reaching a final at a global youth competition was no mean achievement.
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He said Rieck’s performance would motivate the rest of the Kenyan contingent to raise their game and strive for better results as the competition progresses.
Rieck said he was gradually adapting to the water temperatures and conditions in Dakar, expressing confidence in his progress and hopes of securing another final appearance in his next event.
He is scheduled to compete in the men’s 100m backstroke on Tuesday, November 3.
Meanwhile, Kenya will have two more swimmers in action on Monday, November 2, with Neo Olengo competing in the men’s 200m breaststroke and Macrine Kalombo taking part in the women’s 100m freestyle.
In another positive result for Team Kenya, the Baseball5 team defeated Syria 2-0 to conclude its group-stage campaign with three wins and three losses.
The victory provided a positive finish to Kenya’s preliminary matches as the team turns its attention to the knockout stage.
The quarter-finals and semi-finals are scheduled for Monday, November 2, with Kenya seeking to extend its campaign and secure a place in the medal matches.
As the competition gathers momentum, Team Kenya will be hoping to build on these encouraging performances as its young athletes pursue success at Dakar 2026, the first Youth Olympic Games to be hosted on African soil.
