Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 kick off with Argentina's participation

The Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 began on Saturday in Senegal, marking the first edition of this event on the African continent. The event will run until November 13, with numerous young athletes from around the world competing in various disciplines.

The Argentine delegation, composed of 42 athletes, will compete in Dakar in a different context than in 2018, when the country hosted the Games in Buenos Aires. According to La Nación, the Argentine representation approaches these Games with the expectation of achieving good results, although with a smaller number of participants compared to previous editions.

Chile is also participating in this edition, sending 18 athletes supported by a program aimed at improving presence in large-scale sporting events. This plan has been in place for a decade, focusing on strengthening the competition of Chilean athletes.

Meanwhile, the Peruvian delegation, with 15 athletes, paraded in the opening ceremony, highlighting the participation of flag-bearers Natzumi Aquije and Doménico Sotomayor, who represent the country in table tennis and swimming, respectively.

In a remarkable event, Cecilia Dieleke won the gold medal in swimming, achieving a new national and South American record in the 200-meter backstroke, which marks the first medal for Argentina in this event, according to Infobae. This underscores the potential of young athletes in the competitive environment of the Games.

The performance of Thiago Carvallo was also noteworthy, who secured a bronze medal in judo. These achievements mark the beginning of the Games, where athletes will seek to continue accumulating successes throughout the competition. Live broadcasts and coverage of the event are available through various channels.