Team GB has today announced that double Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee has been appointed Chef de Mission for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026 in Senegal, bringing together around 2,700 young athletes for what will be the first Olympic sporting event ever to be held in Africa.
Team GB will be represented across seven sports at Dakar 2026 - archery, badminton, boxing, fencing, gymnastics, rowing and sailing – with all athletes aged 17 or under.
Boxers Lily Bassett and Michael Maughan are the first athletes selected to the team.
South Londoner Bassett, who holds three consecutive junior European titles at just 16 years old, will compete in the girls Minimumweight category at 48kg, while 16-year-old Maughan, who won a junior title at his European Championship debut in December will compete in the Light Middleweight category, under 70kg.
Bassett said: "I’m really excited and proud to have been selected for the Youth Olympics. It’s something I’ve been working towards for a long time so to get this opportunity means the world to me. All the hard work in training and the support from my coaches, family and team has helped me get here.”
"Representing Team GB is a massive honour, it’s every athlete’s dream to compete for their country and I can’t wait to wear the Team GB kit and step out on that stage. I’m really looking forward to testing myself against some of the best young boxers in the world.”
"My goal for the competition is to go out there and bring home the gold for Team GB. I’ve put in a lot of hard work to get here, and I believe in myself and what I can do. I want to perform at my best, gain experience at this level and make the most of the opportunity by giving everything I’ve got."
Maughan said: “I feel very honoured and proud to represent my country and very grateful to be given the opportunity to box on the world’s best stage.”
"Preparing to represent Team GB is a proud and exciting opportunity it means giving my best every day in training, staying disciplined and representing my country with professionalism respect and pride both in and out of the ring.”
"My goals for the competition is of course like any other and that is to come back with a gold medal for Britain and show the world who I am and to become Youth Olympic Champion.”
As Chef de Mission, Brownlee will lead the British delegation for the first time. The Yorkshire-born triathlete made history by becoming the first athlete ever to retain an Olympic title in triathlon, winning gold medals at both London 2012 and Rio 2016. Alongside his Olympic achievements, an 18-year career saw Brownlee claim two individual world titles, Commonwealth gold and four European titles.
The foundations of Brownlee's success, however, were built long before the Olympic podium. Early in his career he claimed junior world, junior European and U23 world titles in consecutive years - experiences that helped shape him into one of Britain's most successful Olympians.
Brownlee said: “It's a huge honour to be appointed Chef de Mission for Dakar 2026. Some of the most important moments in my own career came when I was a young athlete, and it was the people I met during that time who had the biggest impact on my career. They helped shape far more than just performances; teaching you how to step onto a bigger stage, build confidence, form lasting friendships, and take away lessons that stay with you for the rest of your career.
“For many on this team, this will be their first experience of a multi-sport Games and an important step in their sporting careers. It’s a real privilege to be supporting the athletes, and helping ensure they enjoy the experience, perform at their best and make the most of every opportunity. Representing Team GB is special at any level, and Dakar will be a brilliant chance for these athletes to take that next step on their sporting journey.”
The Youth Olympic Games has played a role in the careers of some of Team GB’s most recognisable athletes, including Tom Daley (Singapore 2010), Jade Jones (Singapore 2010) and Duncan Scott (Nanjing 2014).
Team GB’s full squad for Dakar 2026 will be announced in the autumn.