The Summer Youth Olympic Games will be held in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13, 2026. The Finnish Youth Olympic Team heading to Dakar consists of a total of four athletes, two of whom were selected for the team back in May.  

– The athletes and the team are set to make history by participating in the first-ever Olympic Games held on the African continent. These Games offer a great stepping stone in the athletes’ development and on their path toward major adult competitions. The Youth Games are an opportunity to shine, learn from others, and grow into future role models on the international stage. The competition experience in Dakar is sure to be an unforgettable celebration of sports and youth culture for all of us, says Kimmo Mustonen, head of the Finnish team. 

Through a selection process conducted by the International Olympic Committee and international sports federations, Finland secured spots for athletes in boxing, coastal rowing, badminton, and taekwondo at the Dakar Summer Youth Olympic Games. 

This year’s Dakar Summer Youth Olympic Games will feature competitions in 25 different sports, as well as 10 demonstration sports. A total of approximately 2,700 athletes from around the world are expected to participate. The games are open to athletes aged 15–17. 

The Dakar Games are the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games, as summer sports were previously contested in Singapore in 2010, Nanjing in 2014, and Buenos Aires in 2018.  

The plan was to hold the Games in Dakar as early as 2022, but the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the event back to the fall of 2026.

Finnish Youth Olympic Team, Dakar, Oct. 31–Nov. 13, 2026 

(The athlete’s name is followed by their year of birth, their team, and their sports academy)    

Coastal Rowing 

Saaga Hakala, 2010, Takon Soutajat ry

Akseli Hakala, boat handler
Soile Hakala, boat handler 

Badminton 

Ananya Kandala, 2010, Espoon Sulkapallo-Badminton

Nishant Kauthekar, coach 

In May 2026, the following two athletes were selected for the team: 

Boxing (55 kg)  

Mike Parhiala, 2009, Jyväskylä Muay Thai Ry, Jyväskylä Sports Academy

Antti Parhiala, coach  

Taekwondo (-49 kg)  

Aina Kirtselis, 2009, Taekwondo Nurmijärvi

Stelios Kirtselis, coach  

Team Management 

Kimmo Mustonen, Team Leader
Rauno Elokiuru, Doctor
Liina-Maija Rummukainen, Press Officer (Operating from Finland) 

Involved in the preparation process 

Sari Rimpiläinen, General Management (Operating from Finland)
Juuso Valkama, General Management (Operating from Finland) 

Additional information:   

Kimmo Mustonen, Finnish team leader, 050 566 9869