Sabrina Kassam Represents Tanzania at the 2nd Youth Olympic Games

My experience this summer at the Nanjing 2nd Youth Olympics is one that I will cherish forever. It was indeed a whole new perspective to a competitive sporting competition, one that I could have never imagined attending when I started swimming with the talented coaches at The Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa. 

The games were not only about competing at such a profound level but also an opportunity to explore and learn about different cultures through various activities, as well as interact and make new friends with people from around the globe, even if it meant that you didn’t speak mutual languages.

I must admit, that at first I felt beyond my comfort zone, overwhelmed by the number of spectators, the athletes towering over me during marshalling, and the number of cameras everywhere. But I was able to overcome those fears, giving my last event my all, and embracing my experience. 

By Sabrina Kassam