Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER an impressive season that saw her post some exceptional results, Rachel O’Donoghue’s major highlight for 2026 will be her appearance at the Youth Olympic Games later this year.
The rising triathlete will be part of the 2 700 young athletes from around the continent that are expected in Dakar, Senegal, for the Games to run from October 31 to November 13.
O’Donoghue is delighted to be part of the 11-member team recently announced by the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee to represent the country at the Games.
“It’s such a big achievement for me.
“I think it’s been something I have been wanting to work towards for a long time, and now that it’s here, I am so excited, and I am so privileged that I could be part of this team.
“Mentally, I am so excited and very motivated to train hard and do well at this event,” said O’Donoghue.
Before YOG, she is set to compete at the Africa Triathlon Championships in Egypt due to take place early October.
Local competition is currently on a break, with the 2026-2027 season expected to take off in the first week of September.
O’Donoghue will be hoping to build on her strong performances at competitions such as the Africa Triathlon Junior Cup events.
She won gold at events held in South Africa and Mauritius in March and June.
“Yeah, 2026 has been a good year for me.
“I have done a few events, had good results at these events, and have lots more races to look forward to this year.
“I think I need to focus a lot on the swimming side of training, but I think I am in a good place and yeah, I am excited,” O’Donoghue said. Triathlon Zimbabwe vice-president Pamela Fulton said, “It’s been such a long build-up to YOG26 and to actually have a Zimbabwean going, that is really exciting.
“And to have Rachel going, who is so talented, we are really excited to see how she compares against the rest of the world.
“She so deserves this. She works so hard in her swim, her bike, and her run,” Fulton said.
Fulton, who is also the national coach and has led local athletes on various tours, is confident of O’Donoghue’s capabilities.
“She is one athlete that I really do believe that when put at that top level, she can, mentally, as well cope with it.
“We saw at the Troutbeck event how she dealt with racing. In the spirit of the moment, she decided to race the elite, and she wasn’t intimidated. She went fully into it and just was fearless.
“So, I think she is one athlete who can cope with the pressure as well of a big Games.
“Well, having said how talented she is, she’s got a very good chance of going all the way to the Olympics, the real Olympics.
“And I think this is such a good stepping stone for these juniors so that when they do get onto the big stage, they have been there already, they have an idea of what to expect,” added Fulton. Zimbabwe received one slot for the triathlon in the female category.
