The Sultanate of Oman is expected to participate in fencing, swimming, and taekwondo at the upcoming Summer Youth Olympic Games scheduled for October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal. This event will mark the first time the Youth Olympic Games are held on the African continent.
Oman’s involvement at Dakar 2026 is coordinated by the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC), which conducted a comprehensive evaluation to determine the sports in which the nation’s young athletes are most likely to compete. The assessment process involved collaboration between the OOC’s Planning and Follow-up Committee, national sports associations, and technical committees. It reviewed factors such as athletes’ recent performances in regional and international competitions, qualification opportunities, technical readiness, long-term development plans, and the preparedness of the corresponding sports federations.
The fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games will feature approximately 2,700 athletes competing across 25 sports, with an additional 10 sports included in the engagement program. A total of 151 events are scheduled over the 14-day competition period.
Oman has consistently participated in all previous editions of the Summer Youth Olympic Games since its inauguration in 2010. The nation first competed in athletics and equestrian events at the Singapore Youth Olympics, represented notably by Sultan al Tooqi in equestrian mixed team competition. At the 2014 Nanjing Games, Oman fielded athletes in athletics and beach volleyball. In Buenos Aires in 2018, the delegation competed in sailing, highlighted by Mohammed al Balushi’s participation in the Techno 293+ class, marking the country’s debut in Youth Olympic sailing.
The anticipated involvement in Dakar will extend Oman’s presence to a fourth consecutive Youth Olympic Games, providing a further platform for nurturing emerging athletes. In preparation, Omani competitors have been engaged in domestic and international training camps, along with participation in various international tournaments to enhance their competitive and technical capabilities. National sporting associations have intensified focus on tactical development and competition readiness as the Games approach.
Oman’s preparation for Dakar follows closely on the heels of its participation in the 20th Asian Games held from September 19 to October 4, 2026, in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Omani delegation at the Asian Games comprised 72 athletes competing across 10 sports, including athletics, taekwondo, shooting, hockey, golf, fencing, cricket, weightlifting, sailing, and beach volleyball.
The athletics contingent, featuring eight male and three female competitors, concluded the Games with two medals in the men’s 100m sprint: a silver medal secured by Ali al Balushi and a bronze by Mulhim al Balushi. In addition, the country reached the finals in the men’s 200m and both the men’s and mixed 4x100m relay events. The men’s relay team also broke an Arab record that had stood since 2002, underscoring the rising competitiveness of Omani athletes on the regional stage.