Around 2,700 young athletes go compete for Youth Olympic Games for Dakar from 31 October to 13 November 2026, and plenti Senegalese hopefuls don already dey spotlight. National Olympic Committees get sole authority for selection, wich mean say each athlete participation still dey their federation hand.
For basketball, 17-year-old wing Néné Sira Diallo don already represent Senegal, she captain U16 team two years ago and she feature with U18 side for 2026 Women's Afrobasket for Abidjan. 3x3 specialist from Dakar wey start to play for 2017, she say WNBA star Caitlin Clark dey inspire her. "To participate for Youth Olympic Games and represent my country dey make me proud. And since dem dey take place for Dakar, we go give everything to win gold medal," na so she tell Olympics.com.
Seventeen-year-old left-handed fencer Abdourahmane Marième Sy dey seen as strong medal prospect afta team podium finishes for African Junior Championships. "I get only one objective: to comot from Dakar with medal and enter Senegal history," na wetin she tell France TV Afrique.
For swimming, Naël Lamine Voisin, pikin of Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympian Nafi Touré, go aim to add to im four titles from 2025 African Zone II Championships. E name French Olympic champion Léon Marchand as im model. Fourteen-year-old Eden Kazoum, first Senegalese rider wey obtain FEI Certificate of Capability, wey secure host-nation equestrian quota, go compete for new Diamniadio Equestrian Centre with her papa favourite horse Ursuline Blue, while futsal international Marème Niang also set to feature.
