Mazzuoli and Menditto named to Italy 2026 Youth Olympic Games squad

Two athletes from the Compagnia Maremmana Arcieri “Giovanni dalle Bande Nere” have earned selections to represent Italy at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.

National Team Selection for Niccolò Mazzuoli and Mattia Menditto

Niccolò Mazzuoli secured a place on the Italian Youth Recurve National Team for the upcoming international competition. Teammate Mattia Menditto earned a spot as a reserve selection. The dual call-up by FITARCO and CONI places two archers from the same Maremma club onto the Olympic stage together.

Rachele Bandierini of ASD Malin Archery Team joins the delegation as a female reserve. The Italian youth squad will operate under the direction of National Youth Recurve Technical Director Matteo Bisiani.

Archery Events Take Place in Dakar

The 2026 Youth Olympic Games mark the first time an Olympic five-ring event will take place on the African continent. The multi-sport program encompasses 25 disciplines, with archery competition scheduled specifically for the recurve bow category.

Compagnia maremmana arcieri — Photo: grossetosport.com

Overall competition at the Games runs from October 31 through November 13. Archery events are slated for November 6 to November 10 at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, located approximately 30 kilometers from Dakar. Medal podiums for the archery tournaments will be decided across three days: Sunday, November 8, Monday, November 9, and Tuesday, November 10. Mazzuoli and the rest of the Italian youth contingent will face 62 other archers.

Maremma Leadership Celebrates Athlete Selections

Club President Stefano Mazzi expressed strong satisfaction with the announcements. According to club leadership, the double selection validates the daily training, passion, and commitment demonstrated by the athletes, coaching staff, and administrators within the Maremma organization.

Local archery associations across the Maremma district extended messages of encouragement to Mazzuoli, Menditto, Manini, and Bandierini as preparations continue for the international delegation’s departure.