Omar Al Marzooqi Appointed as Role Model for Dakar 2026

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has named Omar Al Marzooqi, a UAE show jumping rider, as an Athlete Role Model for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games set to take place in Senegal.

This event marks a significant milestone as the first Olympic sports celebration on African soil, scheduled from 31 October to 13 November 2026, featuring young athletes globally.

In 2018, Al Marzooqi made history as the first Emirati to win a medal at the Youth Olympic Games, claiming a silver in individual show jumping during the 3rd Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, with nearly 4,000 competitors from 206 nations.

The IOC’s latest lineup of Athlete Role Models includes 36 athletes from 25 competition sports and 10 engagement sports, encompassing Olympic champions and medalists who will offer guidance to youth during the games in Dakar.

These athletes are set to deliver both sporting and mental support, engage in workshops, and impart Olympic values and experiences to aspiring young competitors.

The influential group also features prominent international figures such as French judo champion Clarisse Agbegnenou, Algerian gymnast Kaylia Nemour, Brazilian skateboarder Rayssa Leal, and Egyptian table tennis player Dina Meshref.