Why are you running as a candidate for the ISSA Athletes' Commission?
"I am running as a candidate for the ISSA Athletes’ Commission
because I strongly believe in the power of sport to inspire, unite,
and transform lives. As the first Mauritanian swimmer to qualify for
the Olympic Games, I know what it means to represent not only
myself but also an entire country and continent on the international
stage. My journey has taught me resilience, determination, and the
importance of giving a voice to athletes who often remain unheard.
I want to use this platform to ensure that all athletes, regardless of
their background or resources, feel represented and supported. I
am passionate about promoting equal opportunities, athlete
welfare, and the values of respect, inclusion, and excellence. By
joining the Commission, I hope to bring fresh energy, cross-cultural
perspectives, and a deep commitment to helping athletes maximize
both their sporting careers and their personal growth."
My experience combines elite sport, leadership, and community
engagement. As an Olympic swimmer and multiple national record
holder, I have faced the highest level of competition and
understand the challenges athletes encounter daily. Beyond
performance, I have served as Mauritania’s flag bearer at the Paris
2024 Olympics, which gave me the responsibility to represent not
only athletes but also my nation’s values.
Outside of sport, I have been actively involved in humanitarian
initiatives, volunteering with Secours Islamique France,
ALASCA.VO, and other associations supporting vulnerable people
and children. These experiences strengthened my skills in
teamwork, empathy, and advocacy, all of which are essential for
serving athletes within the Commission.
Athletes should vote for me because I will be a committed and
approachable representative who always puts their interests first.
Coming from Mauritania, a country with limited resources in sport, I
understand the obstacles faced by athletes from both developed
and developing nations. My journey proves that with determination
and solidarity, nothing is impossible.
I will bring passion, energy, and a unique voice to the Commission.
I am ready to listen to the concerns of athletes, defend their rights,
and contribute to building an environment where every athlete has
the chance to succeed, regardless of their origin or background. By
voting for me, athletes choose a representative who is not only
dedicated to excellence in sport but also deeply committed to
fairness, inclusion, and the well-being of the entire athlete
community.
The biggest challenge I have faced as an athlete has been to
sustain the demanding training rhythm over the long term.
Swimming at a high level requires consistency, discipline, and
resilience every single day, and maintaining this commitment has
been both physically and mentally challenging.
Another major challenge has been the administrative process to
obtain dual nationality. Like many swimmers, I come from a
binational background, and representing Mauritania required legal
and bureaucratic steps that were not always easy. Overcoming
these obstacles taught me patience, determination, and the ability
to fight for my dream of becoming the first Olympic swimmer for
my country.
I started swimming at the age of 5. Very quickly, this sport gave me
a sense of freedom, self-improvement, and belonging. From an
early age, I always had the ambition to one day represent
Mauritania.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, my club and pool were closed, and I
had to stop swimming. As a result, I had to start completely from
zero. This period made me realize how much I truly loved this
sport.
After that, I came back to swimming with even more determination.
In addition to returning to training, I also decided to pursue a
professional coaching certification to become a swimming coach,
giving everything I had to this sport that means so much to me.
Sport has profoundly shaped who I am. It has instilled in me
discipline, perseverance, and a mindset of overcoming challenges.
Because of swimming, I had the honor of being Mauritania’s flag
bearer at the Paris 2024 Olympics and qualifying as the first
Mauritanian swimmer to participate in the Games. 
Beyond performance, sport has given me a platform and a voice.
I’ve partnered with the Mauritanian Swimming Federation to help
build infrastructure (a future Olympic-sized pool) so that future
generations in Mauritania can train properly. 
It has allowed me to inspire youth, bridge communities, and turn
what was once a personal dream into a mission for development
and representation.
If I were elected, my top three priorities would be:
1. Athlete Representation and Welfare – ensuring that the voices of
all athletes, including those from developing nations, are heard and
that their well-being is prioritized.
2. Equal Opportunities – promoting access to resources, training,
and competitions for athletes regardless of their background,
nationality, or financial situation.
3. Youth Inspiration and Development – creating initiatives to
inspire and support the next generation of athletes, using sport as
a tool for education, discipline, and social change.
Determined – Resilient – Inspiring
I am passionate about sport, education, and human development.
Swimming is not only my discipline but also my mission: to use it as
a platform to inspire others and to prove that with determination,
nothing is impossible. I am also passionate about giving back to the
community through humanitarian initiatives and supporting young
people in pursuing their dreams, whether in sport or in life.
The athletes’ voice is important to me because athletes are the
heart of sport, yet too often their perspectives are overlooked in
decision-making. Having lived the reality of training with limited
resources and navigating complex administrative challenges, I
know how crucial it is for athletes to be heard and supported.
The athletes’ voice ensures fairness, protection, and equal
opportunities for all, regardless of nationality or background. It also
allows us to highlight the challenges that are not always visible
from the outside — from mental health to career transition.
For me, giving value to the athletes’ voice means creating a
platform where every athlete, from the most successful to those
coming from smaller nations with fewer resources, has the right to
be represented, respected, and inspired.
