New sports programme for Dakar 2026
In light of the above, the IOC, working closely with the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee, has defined the sports competition and participation programme for Dakar 2026.
Updated sporting principles have been developed with the aim of providing Dakar 2026 with a sustainable and reliable model.
- The sporting principles are to limit each sport to one competitive event, ensure a credible elite youth competition, eliminate the National Olympic Committee (NOC) mixed medal competition, propose innovative formats and maximise connectivity with Senegal and Africa.
- Player quotas allow us to reduce the overall number of players while ensuring gender equality.
- The Venues and Operations Strategy will maximise the use of existing venues, avoid major renovations unless essential, encourage sharing of venues and fields of play (FOPs), and minimise events on roads and beaches to reduce complexity and impact on the city.
- The principle of NOC representation and eligibility will be ensured through a pathway for all NOCs to participate in YOG Dakar 2026, with a focus on African NOCs and athletes, taking into account the continent’s representation in all sports.
- The maximum age for participants will be 17 years at the time of the Games, with each age requirement being aligned, where possible, with IF and elite athlete pathways.
Based on the newly defined principles, it has been decided to maintain the official involvement of all 35 IFs in Dakar 2026, with 25 sports to be part of the Competition Programme and 10 sports to be part of the Engagement Programme. The Engagement Programme sports will likewise be promoted as part of the YOG Dakar 2026.
“As we unveil the new sports programme for Dakar 2026, our goal is to create engaging and innovative experiences that connect with young people, especially in Senegal and Africa,” said Karl Stoss, IOC member and chair of the Olympic Programme Commission. “By designing the programme for local contexts, we will ensure that the Youth Olympic Games will be a memorable and impactful event that resonates deeply with the host community and young athletes, and inspires young people in Senegal and beyond.”
The sports to be included in the competition programme have been evaluated in collaboration with the respective IFs, local authorities and NFs in Senegal and across Africa to ensure that the sports and selected disciplines align well with the elite pathways of each sport. For Dakar 2026, these sports are:
Swimming, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Breaking, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Gymnastics, Handball, Judo, Rowing, Rugby, Sailing, Skateboarding, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Triathlon, Volleyball, Wrestling, Martial Arts.
The sports included in the Engagement Programme will also have the opportunity to establish a significant presence at the YOG. They will be showcased through various on-site activities and various Olympic online platforms and promoted as an integral part of the YOG Dakar 2026. At Dakar 2026, these sports will be:
Canoeing, golf, hockey, karate, modern pentathlon, shooting, sport climbing, surfing, tennis, weightlifting.
Legacy and impact plans will be developed for all 35 sports, forming an integrated sports legacy plan for the YOG in Senegal and Africa.
The program of sporting events and allocation of players will be decided at the next board meeting of the year.
