Thailand Sends 27 Athletes to Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

Thailand will send 27 young athletes competing in 10 sports to the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games, known as Dakar 2026, being held from October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal. The host will feature 25 sports including basketball (3×3), archery, gymnastics, athletics, badminton, baseball, beach handball, beach volleyball, beach wrestling, boxing, breakdancing, rowing, equestrian, fencing, futsal, judo, cycling, rugby sevens, sailing, skateboarding, water sports, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, and wushu, competing for a total of 153 gold medals.

Dr. Kongsak Yodmani, director of the Thailand Sports Authority, revealed that Thailand's 27-athlete delegation will compete across athletics (2), badminton (2), beach handball (10), beach volleyball (2), boxing (2), rowing (2), cycling (1), windsurfing (2), swimming (2), and table tennis (2). The authority has provided full support for the team's training and preparation. All athletes have been selected by their respective international sports federations and hold quotas for competition. This Games will provide an opportunity for Thailand's next generation of athletes to test their skills and develop on the world stage.

Yodmani also noted that while the International Olympic Committee has not yet selected the host for the fifth Youth Olympic Games in 2030, Thailand—which previously bid with Bangkok and Chonburi against Asunción, Paraguay, and Santiago, Chile—should not abandon its candidacy. He emphasized that the Youth Olympic Games prioritize using existing facilities and make efficient investments without creating unnecessary infrastructure burdens on the host city. The sports authority will closely monitor the situation as the IOC reviews its host selection strategy. A representative from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation inquired about the Youth Olympic Games, noting it combines athletic competition with culture and education while promoting life skills development. With advance notice of four years, budget allocation can be managed effectively, and hosting would provide benefits beyond economic figures. Yodmani suggested that if Thailand is not selected for 2030, it should continue bidding for 2034.