IOC, Senegal agree to postpone YOG Dakar from 2022 to 2026
The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) today confirms the news that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and government of Senegal have mutually agreed to the postponement of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2022 by four years to 2026 due to ramifications from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the IOC cited factors such as “the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the subsequent postponement of major international sports events, and the operational and financial consequences of the global health crisis” for the decision to reschedule the event. The IOC Session ratified the agreement on 17 July.
Breaking was set to make its second appearance at the YOG in 2022 following its highly successful Olympic debut at the YOG Buenos Aires 2018, where 24 breakers from 18 countries competed in 1vs1 and mixed-nationality Bonnie & Clyde battles.
The WDSF appreciates that this news will be disappointing to the many young b-boys and b-girls who were looking forward to competing in the Senegalese capital in two years’ time.
“The WDSF and everyone involved in the planning for Dakar 2022 are naturally disappointed, but we fully understand that the decision was made in the best interests of the athletes, so we are in full agreement with it,” said WDSF President Shawn Tay. “We share the frustration of all the b-boys and b-girls who were aiming to battle at Dakar 2022, and will redouble our efforts to ensure we organise the best possible event for breakers aged 15 to 18 in 2026.”
Updated information regarding the qualification procedure for Dakar 2026 and other details will be communicated by the WDSF in due course, subject to approval by the IOC.
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