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Story by Isaac Mortey
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has formally unveiled the Participation Principles for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), setting a clear and inclusive pathway for the next generation of elite athletes.
Scheduled from 31 October to 13 November 2026 in Dakar, Senegal, this edition, the first Olympic event to be held on the African continent will be guided by a framework designed to prioritize universal development, and global representation.
The core of the participation strategy is built upon six fundamental pillars that will govern athlete selection and quota allocation across all sports, Universality, Continental Representation, Strong African Representation, Host Country Representation, Athlete Performance, and Gender Equality.
In a significant shift from traditional qualification processes, the principles state that International Federations (IFs) will not organise specific qualification events for the Youth Olympic Games. This decision aligns with the IOC’s commitment to reducing travel and financial burdens on athletes, National Federations (NFs), and National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
Instead, International Federation’s will establish minimum sporting and eligibility criteria, which may be verified through athletes’ participation and results in existing national, continental, or international competitions.
Key highlights of the Dakar 2026 Participation Principles include:
Global Inclusion: The IOC, in collaboration with NOCs and IFs, will manage entries to ensure the opportunity for participation from all 206 NOCs and the Refugee Olympic Team (EOR), with each delegation aiming to include at least one male and one female athlete.
A Focus on Africa: Honouring the historic nature of the Games, the representation of all 54 African National Olympic Committee will be a priority. The International Olympic Committee will strive to ensure that every African National Olympic Committee is represented by a minimum of two male and two female athletes.
Development Pathway: Quota places will be prioritized for athletes identified on an NOC or International Federation’s development pathway and those who have competed in youth competitions, reinforcing the Youth Olympic Games role as a catalyst for athletic growth.
Age and Eligibility: Participants must be a maximum of 17 years old at the time of the Games, including up to the Closing Ceremony, with minimum ages per discipline set by International Federation’s regulations. The National Olympic Committee retain the exclusive authority for the final selection of their athletes, provided they meet the age and eligibility criteria.
Gender Equality and Fairness: The IOC will ensure an equal number of quota places for women and men across all disciplines.
Furthermore, to guarantee broad competitive opportunities, no National Olympic Committee may receive more than one quota place per event.
These principles, approved by the IOC Executive Board on 17 March 2025, establish a robust foundation for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
They ensure the event will not only be a celebration of youthful excellence and sporting spirit but also a powerful vehicle for promoting continental unity and inspiring a new generation across the globe.
