The 2026 Youth Olympic Games have seen African youth excel in various sports, bringing home medals for their countries. On November 2, several African countries added to their medal tally, with France winning its first gold medal in rugby sevens. The French team, led by Simon Laharrague, who scored 16 points, defeated South Africa 26-19 in the final. This victory marked France's dominance in the sport, having won all their previous matches with significant margins.
South Africa's rugby team, led by Jake Dave, who scored 14 points, put up a good fight but ultimately settled for a silver medal. This was South Africa's second medal at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, following Leah Markgraaff's medal in swimming on November 1. The South African team had a strong run in the tournament, defeating Senegal, Canada, and Germany in the group stages and Argentina in the semi-finals.
In swimming, Chanel Veldsman from South Africa won a bronze medal in the 200m freestyle event on November 2. Veldsman qualified third with a time of 2'33"36 but improved her time to 2'30"87 in the finals, although she finished third behind the top two qualifiers. Veldsman will have more opportunities to win medals in the 100m and 50m breaststroke events.
Egypt's Aly Elramly won a bronze medal in the under-81kg judo category on November 2. Elramly defeated Hamdan Almaazmi from the UAE in the quarter-finals with an ippon but lost to Sobhan Hakimi from Iran in the semi-finals. He then defeated his opponent in the bronze medal match with an ippon, a waza-ari, and a yuko.
The 2026 Youth Olympic Games have seen intense competition among African countries, with several nations winning medals. The games, which started on November 1, will continue until November 18, with athletes competing in various sports. The African youth have shown remarkable talent and skill, and their performances have been impressive.
The medal tally for African countries continues to grow, with South Africa, France, and Egypt among the top performers. The 2026 Youth Olympic Games have provided a platform for young athletes to showcase their abilities and compete against the best in the world. The games have also highlighted the potential of African youth in various sports.
As the 2026 Youth Olympic Games progress, African countries are expected to continue winning medals. The games have been a significant opportunity for young athletes to gain international experience and compete against top-level opponents. The performances of African youth at the games have been inspiring, and their success will likely motivate others to pursue sports careers.
Key points
- France won its first gold medal in rugby sevens at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
- South Africa won its second medal at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, a silver medal in rugby sevens and a bronze medal in swimming.
- Egypt's Aly Elramly won a bronze medal in the under-81kg judo category at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
