YOG 2026: The Senegalese trio of athletes from Saltigué in search of personal bests

A few days before the start of the YOG, Maguette Gueye Ndiaye, Sokhna Fatoumata Touré and Djibril Ndiaye display great serenity. Building on their preparation courses in China, Senegal’s athletes first aim to surpass their personal performances and compete without complexes with the world elite.

Maguette Gueye Ndiaye, 400 meter runner, and Sokhna Fatoumata Touré, triple jump specialist, both from Saltigué de Rufisque, will be, with Djribil Ndiaye, the trio of athletes who will defend the colors of Senegal in this discipline. Just a few days before the start of the competition, assurances are being given regarding their state of preparation. “They are ready. Two courses in China, this year and last year,” assures Mass Diakhate, their coach in Saltigué.

He knows the athletes he has been coaching for three years now. “Sokhna Fatoumata Touré is the champion of Senegal in the U18 triple jump and vice-champion of Senegal in length, while Maguette Gueye Ndiaye achieves the third best performance in Senegal in the 400 m, around 56 seconds,” he underlines. According to him, the primary objective for these YOG is to beat their personal best before aiming for a medal. He hopes that Senegalese athletes will compete without complexes and compete with the great nations.

Full of serenity and with the support of the supervisors, the two athletes handled the pressure well. “Of course, sport and pressure go hand in hand, but we will make sure not to fall into this trap and compromise all these years of effort,” says Maguette Gueye Ndiaye. They are counting on the support of the Senegalese public to push them to victory.