Oman is gearing up to participate in the fourth edition of the Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13, 2026. The Sultanate’s delegation, organised by the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC), will compete in fencing, aquatics, and taekwondo.
Dakar 2026 marks a significant milestone as the first Olympic event hosted on African soil. The Games are expected to bring together approximately 2,700 athletes representing 206 National Olympic Committees, competing across 25 sports and 151 medal events. The competition will be held at eight venues spread over three host cities and supported by around 6,000 volunteers. The Youth Olympics seek to promote Olympic values, showcase emerging athletic talent, and encourage cultural exchange among young participants.
Oman’s contingent will be led by swimmer Hamed al Hasani, who will make his Olympic debut competing in the men’s 400m and 800m freestyle events on November 1 and 3 at Dakar’s Tour de l’Œuf swimming complex. In taekwondo, Ziyad bin Ali al Balushi will participate in the men’s under-48 kg category on November 8 at the Iba Mar Diop complex. The fencing squad will be represented by Jana al Sharji, who will compete in the women’s individual épée event on November 10 at Dakar Expo in Diamniadio. Notably, al Sharji recently secured a silver medal at the World Fencing Championships in Costa Rica.
Saheem bin Khalaf al Subhi, Acting Chief de Mission for Oman’s delegation, confirmed that all administrative, logistical, and organisational preparations were finalised following the team’s arrival in Dakar. He detailed that coordination efforts have covered arrangements for accommodation in the Olympic Village, athlete transportation to venues, registration procedures, and opening ceremony protocols. Al Subhi also emphasized the importance of all delegation members carrying their accreditation cards throughout the Games to ensure smooth operations.
The Youth Olympic Games’ opening ceremony is set for October 31 at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Dakar.
Oman’s participation in the Youth Olympic Games began at the inaugural event in Singapore in 2010, when it sent two athletes competing in athletics and equestrian sports. At that Games, equestrian Sultan al Tooqi won a silver medal in the mixed-team show jumping competition, though the medal does not count toward Oman’s official tally due to the mixed-nationality team format. Oman expanded its presence in subsequent editions, with three athletes competing in athletics and beach volleyball at the 2014 Nanjing Games, and participants in sailing and athletics at the 2018 Buenos Aires Games. Notably, sprinter Ali al Balushi qualified through the Asian championships and finished sixth in his event at the 2018 edition, achieving a personal best.
As Oman prepares for its fourth Youth Olympic Games appearance, the focus remains on leveraging past experience to enhance athletes’ performances and provide valuable international competition exposure to the country’s young sporting talent.