Chris Bak and Khadija Krimi in Dakar to inspire and mentor rowing’s next generation

Two established international rowers are sharing their experience, advice, and inspiration with the next generation as Beach Sprint Rowing debuts at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026.

Among the 64 young rowers preparing to compete at Saly Beach West from 31 October to 3 November are two familiar faces from the international rowing scene. But USA’s Chris Bak and Tunisia’s Khadija Krimi won’t be lining up on the start line.

Instead, the five-time coastal world champion and the three-time Olympian have a different goal in Dakar. They will serve as Athlete Role Models, share their experiences, and help inspire the next generation of athletes.

Chosen by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Bak and Krimi join a group of experienced Olympians and elite athletes who will spend the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) connecting with young competitors, giving advice, and joining educational workshops.

For Bak, saying yes to this opportunity was easy.

“When I got the phone call to be an Athlete Role Model for the Youth Olympic Games this year, I jumped at the bit. I am so excited to share the story of how I’ve been able to express myself through my own rowing career and want to see the next generation chase their dreams and say, ‘Hey, this is a possibility,’” said Bak.

Bak, a multiple-time World Rowing Beach Sprint champion, has helped lead the sport’s growth in recent years. With Beach Sprint Rowing set to debut at the Olympics in LA28, Dakar is another big step for the sport and a chance to connect with young athletes who are new to it.

He also talked about what it takes to make those ambitions real.

“We’re in a culture where we feel a need for immediate success; you want that instant gratification. To chase your dreams and follow through on them, it takes time and dedication. You’ve got to really lean into this.”

Krimi offers a different but just as valuable perspective. She is a three-time Olympian who represented Tunisia in the women’s lightweight double sculls at Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024. She also won silver at the 2025 World Rowing Championships and has led Tunisian rowing for over a decade.

Her journey combines international sporting achievement with academic ambition. Alongside her elite rowing career, Krimi earned a master’s degree in electromechanical engineering, demonstrating the possibilities of pursuing a dual-career pathway while competing at the highest level.

As a Tunisian athlete and a well-known figure in African rowing, her experience gives young athletes in Senegal someone they can relate to.

Bak and Krimi will both take part in the IOC’s Athlete Role Model programme, which has been a key part of the Youth Olympic Games since it began in Singapore in 2010.

The programme connects experienced athletes with young competitors through mentoring, educational workshops, and informal meetings. Topics include career management, injury prevention, and mental preparation. The role models also join training sessions, cheer from the sidelines, and celebrate athletes’ achievements at victory ceremonies.

For Dakar 2026, the IOC has gathered 41 Athlete Role Models who represent the 25 competition sports and 10 engagement sports in the programme.

This is a special moment for rowing. The 64 young athletes at Saly Beach West will be the first to try Beach Sprint Rowing at the Youth Olympic Games, before the sport makes its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.

While medals will be won on the water during four days of competition, the conversations, advice, and encouragement shared off the racecourse may last just as long.

For Bak and Krimi, Dakar is a chance to help young athletes believe in themselves, stay focused on their goals, and see where rowing can take them.