Oman likely to compete in 3 sports at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC), is expected to compete in three sports at the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games which is scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13.
According to a source, Oman's young athletes are likely to vie in competitions including fencing, swimming and taekwondo at Dakar 2026 which will mark the first Olympic or Youth Olympic Games to be held on African soil. The Games are expected to bring together around 2,700 athletes competing across 25 competition sports, while a further 10 sports will feature as part of the engagement programme. A total of 151 events will be held during the 14-day competition period.
The selection of Oman’s participating sports followed an extensive evaluation process conducted by the OOC’s Planning and Follow-up Committee in coordination with the respective national sports associations and technical committees. Over recent months, a series of meetings have been held to assess the preparation programmes, technical readiness and qualification prospects of national teams, with the committee reviewing each sport’s overall potential ahead of the Youth Olympic Games. The assessment has also taken into consideration athletes’ recent performances at regional and international competitions, qualification opportunities, long-term development plans and the overall readiness of the respective federations.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Oman had participated in all three previous editions of the Summer Youth Olympic Games as the national athletes had gained valuable experience across different sports and generations of young athletes. At the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, Oman had competed in athletics and equestrian, with Sultan al Tooqi representing the country in equestrian. He was part of a mixed team. At the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games, Oman was represented in athletics and beach volleyball, with three athletes gaining important exposure to a major multi-sport international event.
Four years later, at Buenos Aires 2018, Oman had competed in sailing, with Mohammed al Balushi becoming the first Omani sailor to participate in the Youth Olympic Games. He had competed in the Techno 293+ class. The expected participation in Dakar would therefore extend Oman’s presence across a fourth consecutive edition of the Games and provide another important platform for developing the country’s next generation of athletes.
PREPARATION UNDERWAY
Omani athletes are already engaged in preparation programmes designed to improve their technical and competitive readiness ahead of Dakar. The programmes include domestic training camps, overseas camps and participation in international championships, allowing athletes to gain valuable experience against high-level opposition. The national sporting associations involved have intensified their technical preparations, with particular attention being given to competition exposure, tactical development and maintaining athletes’ readiness during the final stages before the Games.
Oman’s preparations for Dakar come shortly after the conclusion of the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, which took place in Japan from September 19 to October 4. Oman concluded recently its Asian Games campaign with two medals — one silver and one bronze, both secured in the men’s 100m by sprinters Ali al Balushi and Mulhim al Balushi. The national delegation had featured 72 athletes across 10 sports, with Oman competing in athletics, taekwondo, shooting, hockey, golf, fencing, cricket, weightlifting, sailing and beach volleyball.
The athletics team competed from September 24 to 29, featuring eight male and three female athletes. Ali al Balushi claimed silver in the men’s 100m final, while Mulhim al Balushi took bronze in the same race. Oman also reached the finals of the men’s 200m and both the men’s and mixed 4x100m relays, while the men’s relay team broke an Arab record that had stood since 2002.