Cuba to Send 12 Athletes to the Youth Olympic Games

Cuba will arrive with 12 athletes at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13.

Víctor Corona, technical chief of the delegation, confirmed the roster during a press conference held at the Ciudad Deportiva Assembly Hall, attended by officials from the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (Inder).

Eight baseball5 players, three athletics representatives, and one female judoka will make up the Cuban squad, which will face the challenge of competing in a milestone event marked by its historic location and the introduction of new experiences to the youth Olympic movement.

Baseball5 will draw special attention as it makes its program debut at these games, featuring Cuba—the youth world champion—in a discipline that has gained prominence due to its fast-paced nature and blend of dexterity, coordination, and tactical thinking.

The athletics team will feature Adriana González in the discus throw, Daniselis Reyes in the high jump, and Banessa Velazco in the 200-meter dash, while Kayla Lazaret Pita will represent the island in judo in the 78-kilogram division.

Dakar will gather competitors across 35 sports, with 25 granting medal events, combining athletic contests with educational and cultural initiatives designed to foster exchange among youth from different nations.

Dakar succeeds Singapore 2010, Nanjing 2014, and Buenos Aires 2018—the three previous host cities of the summer competition—following a prolonged hiatus caused by the postponement of the edition originally planned for 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The opening ceremony will take place on October 31 at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, during an edition that will also include, for the first time, an Olympic Refugee Youth Team made up of athletes based in Africa.

Cuba holds a historical tally of 24 medals in these games, including 15 gold, four silver, and five bronze—a record that serves as a backdrop for a new generation called to write its own chapter in the competition.

With representation concentrated in three disciplines, young Cuban athletes are preparing to participate in an event that transcends sport, as Dakar brings the African continent to the forefront of Olympic history.