Ivorian sprinter Bosson Greccy Hillary discovered athletics during a school physical education test. Now, as she prepares to compete in the 100 metres at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the 17-year-old is working toward a dream of making her mark on the world stage.

By Akoi Mel Herve, bird story agency

A school physical education test set Bosson Greccy Hillary on a path to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Now the 17-year-old Ivorian sprinter is preparing to compete in the 100 metres, with a dream of one day writing her name in the history of athletics.

Between training sessions, the demands of university and the pressure of competition, she is moving forward with determination, supported by those around her and driven by a passion she discovered almost by chance.

“I discovered athletics in ninth grade during physical education tests. My teacher told me, ‘You are, you are fast, you have an athlete’s build, so you can do it.’ That is how I got into it. And I am quite motivated. What motivates me is that, at the beginning, things were a little complicated, difficult, but I tell myself that I absolutely want to put my name in the history of athletics worldwide,” she says.

Her journey has been built step by step. After making her debut in youth championships, Hillary joined a training group before moving to the athletics training centre at the National Institute of Youth and Sports (INJS). She has also participated in the School Games in Algeria, as well as national championships and other competitions that have helped her gain experience.

For Hillary, the event carries an immense dream: winning a gold medal.

“I really want to win an Olympic medal, that is to say, the gold medal. I want Côte d’Ivoire to have its first Youth Olympic medal. And I also want to make a name for myself, as I always say, to put my name in the book of athletics.”

Her ambition is supported by a family bond that plays a central role in her journey. Before every race, her father’s encouragement reassures her, particularly when the pressure builds.

“Throughout my career, my father has always been there. He is the one who supports me the most. He tends to tell me, ‘Go ahead, you can do it. Hard work is the only thing that pays off.’ He talks to me before every race, which has helped me become who I am today.”

The young sprinter’s development does not take place solely on the track. Having earned her baccalaureate, she is now in her first year at university. Balancing classes, training and everyday life requires careful organisation.

“To balance training, my studies and my daily life, I organise myself and try to manage my time well. I give my best during training while remaining serious about my studies. It is not always easy, but sometimes sacrifices have to be made,” she explains.

For her coach, Audrey Guetty, this dual commitment is an important part of Hillary’s development. At the training centre, continuing her education is a priority, just as much as improving her athletic performance.

“This year, she is in her first year at university, to show that, despite sport, she was able to obtain her baccalaureate. So, sport and studies are possible together, and she is doing very well,” Guetty says.

On the sporting front, managing stress remains a challenge. Guetty says Hillary tends to talk a lot when she is nervous, a reaction that can be misunderstood by those who do not know her well.

“The main challenge she must overcome is her stress. If you see her with her friends, you will see her talking a lot and pacing around. Some people will say, ‘This girl doesn’t know where she is going.’ But in reality, when she is stressed, all she does is talk. Stress is important in sport, but the good kind of stress, not the bad stress.”

The coaching team is also working on her start, a technical aspect that required adjustments. According to Guetty, recent training sessions have shown clear improvement. The immediate goal is to help Hillary beat her personal record of 12.41 seconds, with guidance and exercises tailored to her needs.

For Guetty, the Youth Olympic Games should be a stepping stone. Taking part could open up opportunities for Hillary to compete at the World Championships, on the Diamond League circuit and, eventually, at the senior Olympic Games.

In Dakar, Hillary will carry her ambitions, her father’s support and the work of her coaching team. At 17, she knows that the road to the top requires patience and sacrifice. Her dream is already taking shape: to improve, break her personal record and one day write her name in the history of athletics.

The Dakar Youth Olympic Games athletics programme starts on Sunday.

bird story agency

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GoTyme Running Club athlete, Rowhaldo Ratz, continued his recent good form with an emphatic victory in the annual Axxess Landmarks Half Marathon, in association with Princeton Security and Sportsmans Warehouse, run in cool conditions in Cape Town yesterday morning, while South Africa’s ‘golden girl’ Gerda Steyn romped home to victory in the women’s competition.

The race celebrates part of Cape Town’s heritage and takes runners past 25 iconic landmarks and institutions in and around Rondebosch and Newlands.

Ratz finished third behind Kenyan Stephen Kangethe in the Nelson Mandela Slave Route Half Marathon in the ‘Mother City’ two weeks back and third behind his teammate, William Kaptein in last year’s Landmarks, but was unbeatable yesterday.

Ratz raced home across the finish line at the Western Province Cricket Club in Rondebosch in 1:04:23, 37 seconds ahead of visiting Maxed Elite athlete, Makwande Mngcwengi who outsprinted Kaptein by 1 second in a battle for the minor podium positions.

Ratz’ time was 12 seconds inside Kaptein’s course record, set last year, but will not qualify as a race record due to a marshalling snaffle which resulted in a short course. The error did not impact the competition for podium honours, with all athletes following the same route.

Steyn was in a class of her own, racing into an early lead. She was two minutes up on Cape Town’s ‘running doctor’ Ebeth Marais and opened another minute before racing home in tenth place overall in 1:14:24.

“The race went very well and a good way to start off the month – a very good race!  It was very tactical at the start,” commented Ratz.

“I think the most difficult climb was around 8km, up to the University of Cape Town campus, but I enjoy climbing and this was easier than the ‘Koeksister Hill’ we ran at the Slave Route Half Marathon two weeks ago!

“I love this route, especially running around all the corners and off-road alongside the canals. And it helped running with my clubmate William (Kaptein) in the beginning. We train together and it’s always nice to run against William – he’s a gutsy runner and well done to him for placing third.

“I think I’m more or less done with road racing for this year – it’s time to take a bit of a break before the track season.”

Pausing between willingly responding to endless requests for selfies, Steyn expressed delight at the Landmarks race.

“It was a wonderful morning – I loved the race,” Steyn said. “It’s quite an iconic race and with a few of my friends running, the atmosphere was just wonderful. I hope to be back!

“It was quite a winding route with a number of hills and you run along the foot and cycle paths rather than along the main roads, and there are quite a few tunnels to run through. But that made it all the more interesting.

“Running up to the university reminded me of the Two Oceans (which finishes at UCT). At that stage I was running with (RCS Gugs athlete) Simphiwe who has often run with me in the Two Oceans Marathon. That was really special and gave me an extra bout of energy.”

Based for several months of the year in their cottage in the French Alps, Steyn has run on mountain trails for many years, but stepped up to race a number of high profile trail events for the first time this year.

“Moving to trail has been really challenging – it wasn’t straightforward for me. I had run on trails quite often, but racing on the trails was a new experience.  But I’ve had a wonderful year – I ticked all the boxes at Two Oceans and Comrades and was able to try out something new in trail running. 

“In the beginning, at Sierra Zinal (31km), I didn’t reach the target I had set myself but later on I became more comfortable and achieved third place in the Jungfrau Half Marathon. That will give me something to build on in the years to come.

“My main goal for next year will again by Comrades and Two Oceans and towards the end of the year I hope to try a few more trail races again.”

Results

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As events officially begin this weekend at the 2026 Youth Summer Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, Team Nigeria will count on athletics captain, Rosemary Chigozie Nwankwo to lead the country’s quest for medals.

Sports247 reports that it’s yet another epochal outing for the blistering precocious sprinter, who shot to prominence at the 2024 National Youth Games and, though still a secondary student, already has immense experience as an international athlete.

Her fast-paced surge has taken her from the World U20 Athletics Championship to the 2026 Commonwealth Games and now the Youth Olympics, where she is one of Nigeria’s 19 athletes carrying the country’s banner across six sports at the competition that begins on Saturday and ends on November 13th.

All eyes will be on the student at Nigerian Tulip International College, Abuja and member of N-Youth Sports Academy in the country’s contingent of 12 female and seven male athletes, who will compete in athletics, swimming, table tennis, beach volleyball, boxing and road cycling at the fourth edition of the Games.

Before heading out to Dakar on Thursday, National Sports Commission (NSC) organised a 21-day preparation camp for the athletes in Abuja from October 9th to 29th and handed them over to Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) at the start of this week for their formal presentation at Dakar 2026.

A press statement by the NSC disclosed, “The preparation programme featured medical screening, anti-doping education, technical and tactical training, kit fitting, travel documentation and final confirmation of participation requirements.

“Athletics accounts for Nigeria’s largest representation, with nine athletes comprising five females and four males. The team features Treasure Omosiwe, Rosemary Nwankwo, Rita Chisom Ezeh, Faith Ezechukwu, Praise Ugoh, Gift Bright, Gift Oghenerunor, Obanla Ehuwa and Godswill Nkemakolam.

“Rosemary Nwankwo, one of Nigeria’s promising young track athletes, has been appointed captain of the athletics team, while Matthew Kuti will lead the Nigerian table tennis contingent alongside Favour Ojo in the singles and mixed doubles events.

“Nigeria’s swimming team comprises Akinsanmi Omolola, Kristabel Chisa Oldeide, Aidan Dumuje-Abili and Kashope Obatoyinbo, with two female and two male representatives. In beach volleyball, Pamela Bawa and Joy Lawrence will form Nigeria’s women’s team.

“Shukurat Mayowa will represent the country in the women’s 48kg boxing category, while Ringnan Danjuma completes the contingent in road cycling, where she will compete in the women’s road race and individual time trial.”

Sports247 further gathered that Nigeria’s participation will begin on Saturday with table tennis and beach volleyball competitions, while swimming is billed to commence on Sunday, with boxing scheduled for November 7th to 12th.

Attention will be on Nwankwo and Kuti, as they lead their respective teams in a competition that offers Nigeria’s next generation of athletes an opportunity to make their mark, as Africa welcomes the Olympic movement for the first time anywhere in the continent.

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