Dakar:The 4th Youth Olympic Games, "Dakar 2026," will be held from October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Senegal, marking the first Olympic event in Africa. The host nation is ready to welcome over 2,700 athletes, with Dakar, Diamniadio, and Sali serving as key locations for the competition.
According to Thai News Agency, 28 young Thai athletes are set to compete in the games across 11 sports, including athletics, badminton, beach handball, and boxing. The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) is providing comprehensive support to the team, having prepared the athletes since August 2026.
The SAT has emphasized the importance of personal performance, encouraging athletes to break personal records, even if they do not secure medals. A "Thai House" will be established in Senegal to support the team, alongside a sports science team that will monitor their progress closely.
Dakar 2026 will feature 25 sports and 153 gold medals, with an equal division between male and female events for the first time in Youth Olympic history. This initiative follows previous Thai successes at past Youth Olympic Games, where they have consistently ranked in the top 20 in the medal table.