One eye on Paris, another towards Dakar. Less than four years before the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, the president of the International Canoe Federation (ICF), Thomas Konietzko, made an inspection visit to the Senegalese capital earlier this week. The German leader met the general coordinator of the organizing committee, Ibrahima Wade, and the secretary general of the Ministry of Sports, Paul Dionne. The three men went to the water sports site of Saly, in the suburbs of Dakar, which canoeing will share in particular with rowing, sailing and beach handball. Comment from Thomas Konietzko: “ I am really impressed by the vision of the organizers and their plan to use the same facilities for several sports. This opens up a lot of possibilities, and I think it will serve as a model for future event organizers. » Present on the YOG program since their first edition in Singapore in 2010, canoeing will be presented at Dakar 2026 in a hybrid format, combining canoe sprint, canoe slalom and kayak cross. A unique formula, made possible by the configuration of the Saly site, where young athletes will be able to move from one discipline to another and change boats.
