Venezuela is preparing a delegation of 34 athletes for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, following a logistical coordination meeting between the Ministry of Sport and the Venezuelan Olympic Committee. The event, scheduled to run from October 31 to November 13, 2026, marks the first time an Olympic competition will be hosted on the African continent.
Logistical Planning and Delegation Structure
Sports Minister Franklin Cardillo and Venezuelan Olympic Committee President Soto met with administrative officials to finalize preparation timelines and training conditions for the national squad. Officials confirmed that the country’s delegation will feature 34 competitors spanning 15 distinct sports disciplines.
“We have our delegation prepared, concentrated, and training in function of giving everything for these Youth Olympic Games,” Cardillo said.
Athletes traveling to Senegal will receive comprehensive support from a multidisciplinary team consisting of medical professionals, high-performance technicians, and specialized coaches. Soto emphasized that the support structure is designed to guide young competitors toward competitive excellence.
“We are accompanied by a professional team, prepared to achieve with our athletes and our leaders the medals and joys for the country,” Soto said.
Qualification Format and Sports Schedule
The 2026 Games will feature approximately 2,700 athletes worldwide across 25 sports on the official program. The qualification process for this cycle relies on invitation criteria administered by international sports federations, the event organizing committee, and the International Olympic Committee rather than traditional open regional tournaments.
Venezuela’s participants have secured slots across athletics, badminton, 3×3 basketball, boxing, road cycling, women’s futsal, fencing, judo, beach wrestling, swimming, table tennis, triathlon, sailing, beach volleyball, and wushu.
Cardillo closed the coordination meetings by extending encouragement to the traveling athletes.
“The greatest of successes to our youth, our present and our future of badminton, 3×3 basketball, boxing, cycling, futsal, fencing, judo, beach wrestling, swimming, table tennis, triathlon, sailing, beach volleyball, and wushu who are going to be in the Youth Olympic Games,” Cardillo said.
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