Australia wins six Youth Olympics medals as African Games hailed

Australia secured six medals at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, held in Senegal, as the African Games marked a landmark moment for the Olympic movement on the continent. This marked the first time an Olympic event was hosted in Africa, with organizers praising the success as evidence of the continent's ability to stage major international competitions.

The event featured nearly 2,700 athletes aged 14 to 17 competing across 25 sports and 153 medal events over two weeks. International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry praised the athletes' achievements, stating that the Youth Olympic Games had exceeded expectations and showcased the continent's capability. Australian athletes contributed four silvers and two bronzes to the haul, with boxer Marley Dodd claiming silver in the men's 55kg event and taekwondo athlete Mackenzie Macdonald securing Australia's first ever medal in the 49kg category.

Cyclists Elsie Apps and Caleb McKenzie also excelled, winning silver and bronze respectively in the women's and men's road races. The success of the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar is seen as a positive step heading into the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, with Chef de Mission Kenny Wallace expressing optimism for the future of Australian sports.