Cyprus participates in the 4th Youth Olympic Games in Dakar

The 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games officially commenced on October 31, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal. The event, which runs until November 13, features athletes from 205 countries. The Cyprus Olympic Committee is represented by a delegation of eight athletes competing across six different sports disciplines.

During the opening ceremony, the Cypriot delegation marched in 44th position. The team’s flag was jointly carried by judoka Vladimiros Charalambous and rower Evgenia Maria Polykarpou. Charalambous, who earned a 9th-place finish at the 2025 U18 World Championships, and Polykarpou, a decorated Beach Sprints athlete, were selected to lead the national contingent. Other athletes representing Cyprus include swimmers Andrew Marcus Lagoutis and Maria Keranou, as well as fencer Aris Kagias.

This edition of the Youth Olympic Games marks a historic milestone as it is the first time the event is hosted on the African continent. The competition serves as a significant platform for youth development and international sportsmanship, with the Cypriot athletes scheduled to begin their respective competitive programs throughout the duration of the games.