Thierno Hady Thiam, a 10th-grade student at Lycée Ba Fanta Coulibaly in Djélibougou, Mali, is set to become the country's last athlete to compete in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026. Thiam, who has been training in fencing for three years, qualified for the games after becoming the finalist of the 2026 Mali Cup. His preparation for the games was done exclusively on a national level, with his coach, Raphaël Dembélé, expressing confidence in his abilities.
Thiam's coach, Raphaël Dembélé, believes that his athlete has what it takes to succeed at the international level. Dembélé stated that they have been preparing Thiam mentally and physically for the games, and that he is confident that Thiam will perform well. The duo spent two weeks training at the Centre d'entraînement pour sportifs d'élite de Kabala before departing for Dakar. Dembélé emphasized that the YOG is a high-level competition that requires quality training.
Thiam's goal is to win a medal at the YOG, and he will begin his campaign on the red track of the Pavillon A at the Dakar Expo Center in Diamniadio. The athlete from Djélibougou will compete in the preliminary rounds of the fencing event. Meanwhile, fellow Malian athlete Awa Diarra has qualified for the final of the 800m women's event at the YOG, finishing fifth in her series with a time of 2 minutes 23 seconds 35, a personal record.
Awa Diarra will compete in the final of the 800m women's event on Monday, November 9, at 5:10 pm at the Complexe Iba Mar Dio in Dakar. Her achievement is a significant milestone for the young athlete, who has been making waves in the athletics scene. The Malian delegation was received by Ambassador Boubacar Biro Diallo at the Malian embassy in Dakar, where they were greeted with enthusiasm.
The Malian athletes have been receiving support from various quarters, including the Malian ambassador to Senegal, Boubacar Biro Diallo. The ambassador received the delegation and expressed his confidence in their abilities. The Malian government has also been working to support the athletes, with the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) pledging to engage with Mali's volleyball team.
In related news, the Stade Malien basketball team has achieved a double victory, winning the Coupe du Mali in both the men's and women's categories. The team's success is a testament to the country's growing prowess in sports. The YOG Dakar 2026 has seen participation from various countries, with athletes competing in different events.
The Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 have been a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents. The games have seen participation from various countries, with Mali being one of them. The country's athletes have been making waves in different events, with Thierno Hady Thiam and Awa Diarra being two of the notable participants.
Key points
- Thierno Hady Thiam to compete in fencing event at YOG Dakar 2026
- Awa Diarra qualifies for 800m women's final at YOG Dakar 2026
- Malian athletes receive support from government and sports organizations
