Swimmer Hamed bin Sulaiman Al Hasani is scheduled to carry Oman’s flag at the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on the evening of Saturday, 31 October, at Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, Senegal, according to reports published by Oman newspaper and Times of Oman on 30 October.
The opening date in those reports matches the schedule announced by the International Olympic Committee and the Games’ official ticketing page. The Games run until 13 November and are the first Olympic event to be hosted on the African continent.
Oman is participating with three teams, in aquatics, fencing and taekwondo, according to an Oman News Agency report published on 21 October. The delegation is headed by engineer Khalfan bin Saleh Al Naabi, a board member of the Oman Olympic Committee.
The announced ceremony programme includes an athletes’ parade and performances reflecting Senegalese identity and Africa’s cultural diversity. Competitions will take place across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, according to Panam Sports.
The opening ceremony gives audiences an opportunity to meet the participating delegations before following their competitions. Al Hasani’s appearance at the ceremony remains a forthcoming event at the time this report was prepared on the morning of 31 October. This article is not an account of a ceremony that has already taken place or an announcement of sporting results.
Sources and verification
Al Hasani to raise Oman’s flag at the Youth Olympics opening in DakarHamed Al Hasani named as Oman’s flagbearer for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic GamesThree Omani teams at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic GamesDates for Dakar 2026 approved by IOC Executive BoardPanam Sports Channel will broadcast the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games liveDakar 2026 official ticketing competition scheduleThe flagbearer’s selection is attributed to media reports; the original Oman Olympic Committee announcement was not retrieved. Official Olympic sources support the ceremony date and Games calendar. Conflicting ceremony times and swimming schedules have been omitted. The ceremony had not taken place when this report was prepared on the morning of 31 October.