South Africa based swimmer Olengo dreams of representing the country in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

Kenya's Neo Olengo believes his move to South Africa last year is the best thing that has ever happened to his swimming career.

With only one and a half years in South Africa, Olengo is already dreaming of representing Kenya at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The teenage sensation was in fine form at the South African Schools swimming Championship recently, where he clocked 31.28 in the 50m breaststroke and finished top.

He said the best is yet to come as he looks to attain the 'A' qualification to qualify for the global show.

“ I still have two years to sharpen myself with the help of my coaches. With the facilities here in South Africa, I believe I can make it to the Olympics in three years,” said Olengo.

A student at Tuks High School in Pretoria, Olengo says the level of competition in South Africa is high, and it has brought the best out of him since joining the school last year.

“It's quite competitive and you have to be at your best, considering you are swimming against the top South African junior swimmers. The good thing is that I am improving in my times as well as my execution in the various events,” noted Olengo.

He observed that more Kenyan swimmers need to be exposed to high-performance environments to match the best.

“ I would like to see many of my peers get opportunities to train in such environments as South Africa or Europe. This will enable them to improve their times and qualify for the big sporting events,” observed Olengo.

Seahorses Club coach Peter Mwangangi, who coached Olengo in his formative years, believes the federation has put in place programmes and structures for identifying the top swimming talents in the country.

“ The federation is putting in place the processes to start identifying the next generation of top swimmers who will, in turn, lead us to glory in the next few years."

Elsewhere, seven schools and clubs have confirmed participation in the inaugural Age Group Invitational Championship on June 14 at the Oasis Garden Resort in Embu.

They include Braeburn, St Christopher School Nanyuki, Mt Kenya Academy, Millbrook, Joyful Embu Meru Aquatics, Highland, Ripples International School and St Petro Genesis Sports Limited.

On the same day, the Kiambu Aquatics Minnows Championship will take place at the Potterhouse School in Runda. The event has attracted young swimmers from Kiambu, Machakos, Nairobi, Nakuru and Kajiado.