UAE prepares for Youth Olympic Games in Dakar

UAE’s history at the Youth Olympic Games

Mohammed bin Darwish, Executive Director of the Olympic Committee, highlighted the UAE’s consistent presence since the inaugural Games in Singapore in 2010. He recalled participation in Nanjing 2014 and Buenos Aires 2018, where equestrian Omar Al Marzooqi won the UAE’s first-ever youth Olympic medal, a silver in show jumping. He also noted the UAE’s milestone as the first Gulf nation to compete at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea, in 2024.

Health and safety protocols

Bin Darwish outlined the medical protocols for athletes before departure, during competition, and upon return. The program, coordinated between the Sports Medicine Committee and the Games’ medical division, spans 25 sports across three host cities and ensures compliance with national and international health guidelines.

Qualification and athlete readiness

The UAE’s participation in Dakar is notable for the number of sports represented. Qualification spots for Emirati athletes were based on performance in various tournaments, including the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, where the UAE earned 31 medals — the country’s best continental performance.

Coordination with federations

Ahmed Al Tayyeb, Director of Technical and Sports Affairs, presented available spots across disciplines and reviewed the readiness of qualified athletes in consultation with national federations, ensuring a coordinated approach ahead of the Games.