03/11/2026 : Valentine Platini (equestrian) and Maxime Connen (athletics), both aged 16, are representing the Principality at the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games, taking place in Senegal from 31 October to 13 November. This edition is particularly significant as it marks the first-ever Olympic sporting event to be held on the African continent. This historic occasion brings together nearly 2,700 young athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees, alongside the Refugee Olympic Team. A total of 25 sports and 153 events feature on the programme.

H.S.H. Prince Albert II Joins the Monegasque Delegation

As President of the Monegasque Olympic Committee (COM) and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), H.S.H. Prince Albert II travelled to Dakar to attend the opening ceremony of the Games, held on Saturday 31 October at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio. On this occasion, Valentine Platini had the honour of carrying the Monegasque flag during the Parade of Nations.

The following day, the Sovereign met up with the Monegasque delegation already in Senegal (Damien Desprat, Chef de Mission; equestrian athlete Valentine Platini; and her coach, Danai Tsatsou) and accompanied them on a visit to the equestrian venue. He also attended several competitions, including table tennis, rugby sevens, swimming — where he witnessed a medal ceremony — and futsal.

Valentine Platini: Monaco’s First Equestrian Competitor

The first Monegasque athlete to compete, 16-year-old Valentine Platini takes part in the opening qualifying rounds of the individual show jumping competition on Tuesday 3 November.

One distinctive feature of this competition is that the 24 young riders do not compete on their own horses. Instead, the horses, supplied by the organisers and selected in Senegal, are allocated by random draw. Competitors therefore had to get to know their respective horses and become familiar with them during the training days leading up to the start of the competition.

Valentine Platini has been paired with Élite Longane, a horse with excellent athletic qualities, with whom she will represent the Principality. The young rider will also compete in the mixed continental team event, which includes four European nations: Sweden, Switzerland, Russia and Monaco. These four countries will come together on Thursday 5 November to represent Europe as a team.

The individual final will take place on Friday 6 November. This is an exciting sporting challenge for Valentine Platini, who is experiencing a major international competition in Dakar and gaining an especially enriching Olympic experience.

Maxime Connen Set to Compete in the 100 Metres

Monaco’s second representative, 16-year-old athlete Maxime Connen, will arrive in Dakar on Wednesday 4 November, accompanied by his coach, Christophe Mattei. A sprint specialist, he will compete in the 100 metres, scheduled for late afternoon on Sunday 8 November. This will give him the opportunity to test himself against young sprinters from around the world in one of athletics’ most iconic events.

Dakar 2026: A Historic Edition for Youth and the Olympic Movement

Beyond sporting performance, the Youth Olympic Games aim to offer young athletes an experience that combines elite competition with education, culture and shared experiences. Created by the International Olympic Committee, the Games enable younger generations to embrace the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, while fostering exchanges between cultures and nations.

Dakar 2026 therefore marks a major milestone in the history of the Olympic Movement. For the first time, the African continent is hosting an Olympic sporting event. This edition also achieves full gender parity, with equal representation of women and men across all sports, disciplines and events.

Competitions are taking place at three venues — Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly — and are accompanied by an extensive cultural and educational programme for both young participants and the Senegalese public.

For Monaco, this participation reflects the Monegasque Olympic Committee’s commitment to young people and to supporting emerging talent on the path to international elite sport. For Valentine Platini and Maxime Connen, these Games represent a unique opportunity to fly the flag for the Principality on the Olympic stage, compete against the world’s leading athletes in their respective age groups, and enjoy an unforgettable sporting and personal experience.

Stéphan Maggi, Press Officer, Monegasque Olympic Committee