Swimmer Maggie Mewett and triathlete Gianluca Bortoli carried the Bermuda flag at the Youth Olympic Games opening ceremony in Dakar, Senegal, on Saturday.

Bermuda chef de mission Ashley Yearwood announced the flag bearers shortly after Mewett and fellow swimmer Noah Maranzana arrived in the west african coutntry on Friday.

The pair led Bermuda’s delegation into Stade Abdoulaye Wade for the historic ceremony, which marks the first time an Olympic event has been staged on African soil.

Bortoli, Mewett and Maranzana are the only team members to have made it to Senegal so far, with javelin thrower Tatiana Sousa not due to arrive until next week for the upcoming track and field programme.

Swimming coach Geri Mewett, who linked up with the two swimmers in Atlanta on Thursday before travelling together to Senegal, presided over a light loosening session on Friday afternoon for everyone.

The swimmers are competing in their respective events from Sunday to Friday, while Bortoli, who is mentored by American Michael Harlow, is in action on Thursday.

“We managed to get to the pool for a little shake out swim,” the coach said.

“We grabbed Luca as he needed to swim as well to prepare for his triathlon.

“The pool was nice, the athletes had a nice swim and were understandably a little tired after a long travel day, but nothing a good rest can’t fix.”