Saeed Omar claims gold as UAE extends historic medal run at Dakar Youth Olympics

The national athletics programme reaches a milestone as Saeed Omar wins the men's 400 metres, while Aisha Mohammed secures bronze to bring the UAE's Dakar tally to four medals.

The UAE’s young athletes continue to write remarkable chapters in the nation’s Olympic history. In the men’s 400 metres final at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, Saeed Omar crossed the line in 46.40 seconds, a personal best, to claim gold and deliver the UAE’s second gold medal at these Games being held in Senegal through 13 November.

Omar’s victory marks a particularly significant moment: it is the first gold medal ever won by a UAE athlete in track and field at the Youth Olympic Games. His performance surpassed strong competition, with Gambia’s Mustapha Jadama taking silver in 46.93 seconds and China’s Han Liu securing bronze in 47.16 seconds.

The same evening brought further cause for celebration when Aisha Mohammed crossed the line in the women’s 400 metres final in 53.06 seconds, another personal best, to win bronze. Nigeria’s Praise Ugoh claimed gold in 52.76 seconds, while Venezuela’s Osmary Pacheco took silver in 52.85 seconds.

These achievements extend a remarkable fortnight for Emirati athletics at the Games. Arwa Ali had opened the sport’s account by winning silver in the women’s 100 metres in 11.41 seconds, becoming the first Emirati woman to win a medal at the Youth Olympic Games. With Omar’s and Mohammed’s performances, the UAE’s athletics medal tally now stands at three: one gold, one silver and one bronze.

The national delegation’s overall medal haul at Dakar has risen to four. Riyan Malhan secured the UAE’s first ever gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games in badminton’s boys’ singles, defeating France’s Mady Sow in the final. Additionally, Alya Almheiri, representing the UAE’s national equestrian team, won gold as part of Team Asia in the continental team competition of the International Equestrian Federation.

This exceptional performance represents the strongest medal haul the UAE has achieved since the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, reflecting the depth of talent emerging across the nation’s sporting disciplines and the effectiveness of the development pathways supporting young athletes.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

These medal wins underscore the UAE’s commitment to developing world class young talent and the success of investment in youth sports programmes across the emirates. The achievements in athletics, in particular, demonstrate that the nation’s runners are competing at the highest levels of international competition and establishing themselves as genuine medal contenders on the global stage.

The results also signal the effectiveness of the UAE’s approach to nurturing young athletes across diverse sports, from traditional Olympic disciplines to emerging talents in badminton and equestrian events. As these young competitors mature and progress, they are likely to form the core of the nation’s elite athletic contingent for years to come.

Source: WAM