Eva Okaro, a 17-year-old swimming prodigy, is set to make history as the first black woman to represent Team GB in the pool at the Olympics. Selected for the 4x100m freestyle relay team, Okaro will be the youngest British swimmer at the Paris 2024 Games. This groundbreaking achievement follows Alice Dearing’s milestone as the first black woman to compete for Team GB in open water swimming at Tokyo 2020.
Breaking Barriers in British Swimming
Okaro’s selection marks a significant moment in British swimming history. She follows in the footsteps of Kevin Burns, who became the first black male British swimmer at the Olympics in Montreal 1976. While acknowledging the weight of her position, Okaro remains focused on her performance rather than the historical significance.
“It’s an honour to be in this position, but at the same time I feel like it’s a bit weighty,” Okaro told BBC Radio Derby. “I don’t think I will be defined as that person, and if I am it’s not something I want to be defined as.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Swimmers
Despite her modest approach to her groundbreaking role, Okaro recognizes the potential impact of her participation on future athletes. She embraces the opportunity to inspire young swimmers, particularly those from black communities.
“I really enjoy inspiring the younger athletes in general, but mainly young black swimmers just to know that they can do whatever they want to do,” she said. This sentiment echoes the importance of representation in sports, especially in disciplines where diversity has historically been lacking.
From Kent to the Olympic Stage
Okaro’s journey to the Olympics began in Kent, where she grew up near Maidstone. Her twin sister, Izabella, served as her first rival in the pool, fueling her competitive spirit from an early age. Okaro’s talent led her to compete for clubs in Gillingham and Sevenoaks before she relocated to Derbyshire to train at Repton School.
The young swimmer’s rapid rise to the Olympic team has been a whirlwind experience. “Obviously it’s exciting, but I don’t think it has really dawned on me yet,” Okaro admitted. “I think it will really hit me when I’m behind the blocks about to swim and think ‘Oh wow, this is the Olympics’.”
Balancing Youth and Ambition
As the youngest member of Team GB’s 33-strong swimming squad, Okaro views the Paris Olympics as potentially the first of many in her career. However, she refuses to let her age become an excuse for underperformance.
“I think being youngest on the team does give me that leeway in a sense, but at the same time I don’t want to be the slowest on the relay team,” she explained. “I don’t want to put myself in a position where I don’t perform at my best just because of my age or anything like that.”
