Hong Kong, China is sending 15 athletes to the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, which begin later this month.

The Dakar Games mark the first time an Olympic event is being hosted on the African continent.

The Youth Olympic Games bring together around 2,700 athletes from more than 200 countries and regions to compete in 25 sports across 153 medal events, alongside 10 showcase sports.

The SAR's athletes – 10 boys and five girls – will compete in 12 sports, namely athletics, swimming, badminton, boxing, cycling, breakdancing, fencing, rowing, table tennis, triathlon, windsurfing and wushu.

Fencer Harris Ho, 17, who recently won silver with the men’s foil team at the Nagoya Asian Games, said that experience has better prepared him for major sporting events in future.

“After experiencing a big event like the Asian Games, I feel like I can perform better under pressure. I hope to top the result of Ryan Choi, who won silver in the Youth Olympic Games," Ho said.

"I hope I can go one better and take first place. Actually he encouraged me to top his result.”

Wushu will be included as an official medal event for the first time.

Poon Hao-ran, 15, who won two golds and a silver at the World Taijiquan Championships in May, said joining the Youth Olympics is a dream come true.

“I feel very honoured and happy to represent Hong Kong at the Youth Olympics," he said.

"Wushu being included in the Youth Olympics for the first time is truly a dream come true for me. I want to thank my coach for guiding my training, and I will try my best to perform at my highest level on stage.”

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law and other sports officials attended a flag-presentation ceremony for the Hong Kong, China delegation on Tuesday.

The Youth Olympic Games were last held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2018. The Dakar Games was originally planned for 2022 but postponed due to the Covid pandemic.


Edited by Edmond Fong