Youth Olympians at the Dakar 2026 Equestrian Centre. © FEI / Kirsty Pasto

04.11.2026

Greetings from Dakar! Today may be a rest day on the competition schedule at the Equestrian Centre, but that doesn't mean the learning stops.

This morning our young Athletes came together for the IOC Education Session, led by IOC Member and FEI President Ingmar De Vos, FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez and 2026 Youth Olympic Games Athlete Role Model Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi.

FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez and FEI President Ingmar De Vos speak to the young Olympians on Wednesday at Dakar 2026

From horse welfare to social media and the responsibilities of being an Athlete in the public eye, the session challenged Athletes to look beyond the arena and consider the future of their sport, and the role they will play in shaping it.

Because behind every successful Athlete is a team, a support network and a community. As Omar said: "It takes a village."

A silver medallist at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games and Paris 2024 Olympian, 23-year-old Omar is in Dakar as an Athlete Role Model, bringing valuable first-hand experience to the next generation of Athletes.

We caught up with him to reflect on his own journey, the opportunities the Games create and why the YOG experience leaves a lasting mark…

Paris 2024 Olympian and Athlete Role Model Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi

You competed in Buenos Aires in 2018, and now you’re the Role Model for these Games. What does that mean to you?

Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi: “Competing in Buenos Aires meant a lot to me. When I compare it with the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the procedures and the overall atmosphere were remarkably similar. The youth categories provide an important pathway towards the senior level, helping Athletes develop not only their skills but also the mindset and experience needed to progress.

“It also gave me the opportunity to meet and work with people from across the region, exchange ideas, build relationships and look ahead to what we can achieve together in the future. It was a truly wonderful experience.”

Since that silver medal in 2018, you’ve achieved a lot. What are your proudest moments?

Omar: “My silver medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires was an important milestone early in my career, but Paris changed the trajectory of my career entirely. Since then, I’ve broken into the world’s top 100, competed at major events including the FEI Jumping World Championship in Aachen (GER) this past summer. I also won two medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games in China in 2023, followed by another medal at this year’s Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan. I hope this is only the beginning.”

You’re second in the U25 rankings and won the Longines FEI Rising Star Award in 2024. Do awards like that motivate you?

Omar: “Definitely, although it also comes with a great deal of responsibility, because people are always looking up to you. It’s a real privilege. Being the first Middle Eastern equestrian Athlete to receive the award was a very proud moment for me, and I hope it has inspired people across in the UAE and the wider region, particularly the younger generation.”

What advice would you give young riders who want to follow in your footsteps?

Omar: “I’m still learning myself. Every time I watch another rider, I see something I can learn from and an area where I can improve. My advice is simple: work as hard as you can, learn as much as you can, and keep moving forward.

“No one ever reaches a point where they can say they’ve done enough. Even the top 10 riders in the world are still working, still learning and still striving to achieve more. There is no limit to what you can learn, so the most important thing is to keep learning, keep improving and keep growing.”

In Buenos Aires you rode a borrowed horse, just as the riders are in Dakar. How does that feel, and what are the challenges?

Omar: “Every rider has their own style, but I think this format is particularly valuable for the youth categories.

“At this age, there isn’t necessarily one particular horse that suits a particular rider. The more different horses young riders experience, the more they learn and the better they become at adapting. Ultimately, when they are older, they should be able to be paired with different horses and bring out the best in each of them.

“You have to adapt very quickly — within two or three days — and you may only have three or four rides before going into competition. You could even end up winning a medal on a horse you have only just met. That unpredictability is part of the challenge, but it’s also what makes the experience so valuable.”

What are your ambitions for the future?

Omar: “The next major objective is to qualify for LA28, and that will be our main focus as a team over the next six to eight months. Personally, I want to continue progressing in the sport and set the highest standard I can for my country. We are still developing and growing as a team, and I believe our country deserves to be competing at the highest level.”

Don’t forget you can watch the competition on Thursday 5 November here: Dakar 2026 Live Stream. Find out more about coverage where you live here.

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games run from 31 October to 13 November, with Equestrian taking place from 3 to 6 November.