7-8 August 2026 | Dakar, Senegal
As preparations accelerate for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, World Rowing delivered a focused training programme in Dakar aimed at developing the technical officials and volunteers who will help stage rowing competitions at the Games.
The visit, conducted on 7-8 August 2026, brought together members of the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee, technical officials, and volunteers for two days of intensive learning and practical exercises. The initiative forms part of World Rowing’s commitment to ensuring that competition delivery meets international standards while creating a lasting legacy of expertise within the host nation.
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will be a landmark event as the first Olympic event ever to be hosted on African soil, making workforce development a key priority in the lead-up to the Games.
Developing Knowledge and competence
The training programme was designed to strengthen the capabilities of both organisers, technical officials and volunteers, while improving coordination across the various operational areas involved in delivering a Rowing event.
To start with, participants explored
- the primary function of a Technical delegate (as defined in the World Rowing rules) and the other key event roles
- explored what skills & experiences a technical delegate needs to do a good job.
Modules further addressed
- the beach sprint venue (technical specifications and beach dynamics),
- how the field of play is set up and the equipment that is needed to run a successful event
- what type of infrastructure is needed around the field of play
- how to write race schedules, to understand progressions, the timing and results service needs.
- basic on-water safety, rescue and medical services at a beach sprint regatta
- personnel: key roles, structures and numbers
- basic introduction to ceremonies
- beach sprint event presentation
- regatta communications needs and hierarchy of decision making during the regatta
- bid visits, site visits and meetings
- technical delegate role during the regatta
- what a technical delegate needs to do at the end of a competition
Developing competence with practice
The programme focused on practical simulations designed to replicate real competition conditions.
Participants worked through key Beach Sprint competition formats, including Time Trial and Knockout racing, allowing officials and volunteers to gain first-hand experience of course setup, competition progression, safety management, and event operations.
The training culminated in a successful mini-regatta that provided valuable racing and operational experience. The exercise enabled participants to better understand the competition format, course dynamics, and decision-making processes required during an event.
The simulation also offered an opportunity to compare the advantages and operational considerations of both Time Trial and Knockout racing formats, generating valuable insights for future event delivery.
Technical Officials received training on
- competition rules and regulations.
- roles and responsibilities of judges and referees.
- competition operations and event management.
- decision-making and conflict resolution.
- basic safety procedures and emergency response.
The sessions included practical case studies and discussions to ensure consistency in officiating during the Games.
The WR expert Sahbi Khardani highlighted “the motivation and engagement of the participants and strong collaboration with the Dakar Organising Committee, leading to a positive progress in operational readiness”