YOUTH OLYMPICS
Fiji may get the opportunity to participate at the first Olympic event in Africa: the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal in 2026.Fiji has participated at three other Summer Youth Games in 2018, 2014 and 2010.
Fiji may get the opportunity to participate at the first Olympic event in Africa: the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal in 2026.
Fiji has participated at three other Summer Youth Games in 2018, 2014 and 2010.
Athletes like Serenia Ragatu (Athletics), Lora Bukalidi and Tiara Dutta (Hockey), Meli Malani (Swimming), Grace Yee (Table Tennis) and Charlie Lolohea (Weightlifting) are just some of the athletes that have participated at a Summer Youth Games.
Team Fiji has won 2 bronze medals and a silver medal whilst participating in the Summer Youth Games.
Fiji participated at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina in the sport of Athletics, Badminton and Table Tennis and the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics, in Nanjing, China in the sport of Athletics, Field Hockey Women, Rugby Sevens Men, Swimming and Weightlifting.
Fiji first participated in the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in Singapore in the sport of Athletics, Judo, Swimming and Weightlifting.
Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee Chief Executive Vanessa Kilner said Team Fiji was very much focused on developing sports and long-term athlete development and participating in the Summer Youth Games was a pathway for emerging young talent.
"The youth games came about in response to growing global concerns about childhood obesity and the dropping participation of youth in sport activities, especially amongst youth in developed nations.
"We recognise these concerns in Fiji and hope to encourage more youth members to participate in sports with the aim to participate in a global event like the Summer Youth Olympics," she said.
Meanwhile, the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee (YOGOC) celebrates 1,000 days to go (04 February, 2024) until the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 which holds historical significance as it will be the first Olympic event to be held on African soil.
“We cannot wait for the moment to enjoy the first Olympic event on African soil, an event for Africa, with Africa, that will welcome the youth of the world in Senegal,” the IOC President, Thomas Bach, said.
The Summer Youth Games will be held from 31 October – 13 November, 2026.
PIC: Grace Yee carries the Fiji Flag during the Summer Youth Olympics in Argentina, 2018
