Safiya Malini Prasad, an American athlete of Gambian ancestry has been selected into the US athletics team to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics Games starting later this month.
A 400metres hurdle specialist Safiya is the daughter of Isatou Jeng whose father is Pa Salla Jeng.
An accomplished young track and field athlete from St Croix, US Virgin Islands, Safiya is currently a student-athlete at SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio. A member of the Class of 2028, Safiya specialises in the 400-metre hurdles and 800-metre long distance run.
She has proudly represented the US Virgin Islands at prestigious international competitions, including the CARIFTA Games and NACAC U18 & U23 Championships. Her impressive achievements include becoming an Adidas Indoor National Champion in the 4×800-metre relay, earning Adidas Indoor All-American honors, competing at Nike Outdoor Nationals, and reaching the finals at both CARIFTA and NACAC.
A three-time St Croix State Champion and multiple-time Puerto Rico National Champion, Safiya has established herself as one of the territory’s most promising young track and field athletes. She is now preparing for a significant milestone in her athletic career as she will represent the US Virgin Islands in the 400-metre hurdles at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, competing against some of the world’s most talented young athletes.
Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Safiya takes immense pride in her rich multicultural heritage and the family values that have shaped her journey. Her mother, Isatou Jeng, is originally from The Gambia, West Africa, while her father, Ganesh Prasad, is from the US Virgin Islands and is of Indian descent. She is the granddaughter of Pa Salla Jeng and Haratou Jallow, reflecting her strong family ties to The Gambia.
Competing at the Youth Olympic Games in neighbouring Senegal holds particularly special meaning for Safiya, as it connects her passion for athletics with her West African heritage. A dedicated student-athlete, she continues to balance academic excellence with the demands of elite competition, demonstrating discipline, resilience, and determination. Safiya hopes to continue her academic and athletic journey at the collegiate level while inspiring young athletes throughout the Virgin Islands, The Gambia, and beyond. Her story is a testament to the power of family, cultural identity, perseverance, and the belief that athletes from small island communities can achieve greatness on the world stage.
