Bermuda athletes competing at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry.

Swimmers Noah Maranzana, Maggie Mewett and triathlete Gianluca Bortoli rubbed shoulders with global sports leadership at the Olympic Village on Monday.

Swimming coach Geri Mewett described it as an incredible moment for the athletes to be in the presence the seven-times Olympic medal-winner.

“Our athletes had the opportunity to meet the current IOC president Kirsty Coventry in the village on Monday, which was pretty awesome,” he said.

Both swimmers were in 100 metres breaststroke action on Tuesday, with Maranzana second in heat one of the men's event in a personal best time of 1:18.02, placing 25th overall, while Mewett clocked 1:25.36 to finish eighth in heat four and 22nd overall.

“Noah had a good swim and had his best time,” the coach said.

“I think he was happy with the swim and also happy to start racing. Maggie was a little off her lifetime best so it wasn’t what she wanted, but she’s looking forward to the events coming up on Wednesday.

“It’s been really fun watching them meet lots of other swimmers from around the world. I think the format has actually made it easier for everyone to meet each other because of the unique small team format.”