Oldest Olympic Swimmer In History: Baleka To Compete For Guinea-Bissau At 50

Siphiwe Baleka is set to become the oldest swimmer in Olympic history in Tokyo after being selected to compete for the West African republic of Guinea-Bissau on June 17.

Baleka, 50, was born and raised in the United States (Oswego, Ill.) and went to Yale as a collegiate swimmer before attempting to make the U.S. Olympic team for the 1992 Games in Barcelona—then under the name “Tony Blake.”

Since then, in addition to adopting his new name “Siphiwe Baleka” from tribal elders in South Africa, according to Sports Illustrated, Baleka has been a truck driver and a 13-time U.S. Masters Swimming national champion. He currently resides in Springfield, Mo.

On June 10, Baleka officially became a dual citizen of both the U.S. and Guinea-Bissau, following the Council of Ministers of the Government of Guinea-Bissau completing his “naturalization process.”

In addition to being the oldest Olympic swimmer ever, Baleka will also be the first from Guinea-Bissau, which has never sent more than five athletes to a single Games. The team will not be sending a female swimmer.

Baleka will be allowed to compete under the universality rules put in place by the IOC and FINA to allow smaller nations and those developing swimming programs to send athletes to the Games.

Due to the one-year postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, universality selections simply needed approval from FINA, rather than having to compete at the 2019 World Championships, which was a requirement before the pandemic delayed the Games.

Universality selections are put in place to give swimmers from the smaller and under-developed countries an opportunity to compete on the biggest stage. In this sense, Baleka is taking advantage of the system, finding any and all loopholes to compete at the Games.

Baleka’s tie to Guinea-Bissau comes from “genetic testing which determined that his paternal ancestors descended from the Balanta people of Guinea-Bissau,” according to the official press release on Guinea-Bissau’s announcement. “Mr. Baleka is the first ‘Afro-descendant’ from the United States to receive citizenship in Guinea-Bissau based on DNA results, and will be the first such  athlete to compete for his ancestral homeland.”

According to the USA Swimming’s database, Baleka has three long course 50 free swims on record during the 2020-21 season in February, all ranging between 25.20 and 25.53. In the 100, he has a pair of 55.9s from the same meet.

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Shorts Not In a Bunch
3 years ago

Siphewe’s ancestors likely didn’t come to the US willingly. The article ought to say he currently lives in Guinea-Bissau, not MO. Go Siphewe!

David Guthrie
3 years ago

If you want learn a little more about this guy, this short film is a good place to start.
https://vimeo.com/119291674

Last edited 3 years ago by David Guthrie
Jeah4Life
3 years ago

Before, the Olympics was something money couldn’t buy. Looks like I should do some 23&Me or even better, see if Dominica or the Dem Rep of Congo would sell me a passport since passport buying is a thing for the right price.

Old Retired Guy
3 years ago

Well now, this guy’s got nothing on Jerry Atric. Regardless, good on him; he’s cookin’ with honey..!!

Tea rex
3 years ago

I know plenty of 50 year olds who are doing less meaningful things with their lives

Greg
3 years ago

No argument that he’s a talented swimmer, I’ve followed he’s journey through his social media posts , but to be honest I don’t agree with what he has done. He should rather be trying to help the countries youngsters get to the Olympics. It’ll be interesting to see how long he stays in Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼 after the Olympics and if he’s going to be proud to represent 🇬🇳 for the remainder of his Masters swimming career?

Jay Ryan
3 years ago

As Thurston Howell would say, “Good heavens! A Yale man!!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCCCN-3NJiU

Dude
3 years ago

Americans have a nationalism problem, I swear to god. And especially the swimming community. Get over yourselves.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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