From 31 October to 13 November 2026, the Dakar Youth Olympic Games will also give audiences the chance to discover sports that may be less familiar to some. In baseball5, breaking, skateboarding, wushu or sailing, performance can be understood by watching the athletes’ choices as much as their movements. A few pointers are enough to get into the competition.
Baseball5: rhythm without bat or glove
One rubber ball, two teams of five players and decisions to be made in a flash: baseball5 gets straight to the point. In this urban version of baseball and softball, the ball is struck with the bare hand. There is no bat or glove, just reflexes, coordination and a real sense of teamwork.
For spectators, the appeal lies in the speed of the exchanges. Watch how the players position themselves and react to the ball: good anticipation can make the difference. The pace of the game offers little respite and forces everyone to stay alert.
Breaking: technique in the service of style
The floor spins and acrobatic moves catch the eye immediately. Yet breaking is not just about the most spectacular move. Athletes must also combine body control, musicality and creativity to stand out.
The way moves are linked together counts as much as their difficulty. To appreciate a round better, listen to the music too: the link between the rhythm and the movements reveals part of the dancer’s craft. Personal style gives the battle its edge.
Skateboarding: landing the trick all the way through
At Dakar 2026, skateboarding will be contested in the street discipline, on a course inspired by urban furniture, including stairs and rails. Balance and precision are essential, but the choice of tricks and the management of risk are also part of the performance.
A few seconds can change everything. A difficult trick still has to be seen through, with a controlled landing. Watching the board until it returns to the ground helps explain what separates a successful attempt from a fall that can prove costly. Each skater is also free to assert their own style.
Wushu: power under control
Wushu will be represented in Dakar by taolu: codified technical routines, rather than fights between two opponents. Athletes will therefore be judged on the precision of their movements, their coordination and their body control.
Behind the apparent speed and power lies rigorous preparation. Spectators can follow the sharpness of the movements, the balance and the continuity of the routine. A performance impresses as much for its control as for its energy.
Sailing: reading the wind before choosing your route
The sailing events will take the form of windsurfing races. On the water, competitors must deal with the wind, its shifts and the choice of line. Going fast therefore also means understanding what is happening around you.
Athletes adjust their sail and their balance to make the most of the conditions. To follow the race, watch their changes of direction and the way they position themselves relative to one another. Reading the environment, strategy and technical mastery remain closely linked.
