Davids, Reed selected as flagbearers for Dakar 2026 opening ceremony
Team SA’s campaign at the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics officially gets under way when Duncan Davids and Bo Reed carry the nation’s flag at Saturday’s opening ceremony in the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium.
The two 17-year-olds, from beach volleyball and equestrian show jumping respectively, were announced as flagbearers for the first-ever Olympic event to be held on the African continent.
In making the announcement, Team SA chef de mission (team delegation leader) at Dakar 2026, Sizwe Ndlovu, paid tribute to Davids and Reed’s appointment. “Having been part of a Team SA gold-medal winning performance at the 2012 London Olympics I know what an honour it is to represent one’s country. To be able to do so in a Youth Olympics and then have the honour of carrying the South African flag is a life experience.
“These Youth Olympic Games are historic for a number of reasons, and to Duncan and Bo in particular, and to Team SA in general, I wish you nothing but special memories and urge you to soak up the occasion. Stay in the moment when you parade with our flag and cherish these Games,” the former gold medal-winning rower said in his message to them.
Echoing his sentiment was SASCOC’s acting president, Lwandile Simelane. “Congratulations to Duncan and Bo. They are shining examples of South Africa’s vibrant youth who are getting their opportunity to lead Team SA into battle at Africa’s first-ever Youth Olympics.
“While this is the career highlight of all athletes representing Team SA at these Youth Olympics, many of them will go on and become senior Olympians. I urge the entire squad to embrace the opportunities, dream big, make friends and remember that you are ambassadors for South Africa on and off the field of competition,” Simelane said.
Davids has built up an impressive CV in a short space of time in both indoor and beach volleyball.
His beach volleyball experience includes representing Team SA at the Junior Beach Volleyball Development Cup in Senegal, alongside other national and provincial achievements. He is recognised for his powerful attacking ability and strong blocking at the net, while off the court he is committed to academic excellence and a desire to be the best version of himself and the teams that he represents.
Reed, a Grade 11 learner at Heron Bridge College in Fourways, recently returned from a training camp in Egypt: “The training camp taught me so much, both as a rider and as an athlete. I was incredibly lucky to ride nine different horses, each with their own personalities, quirks and ways of going. Learning to adapt my riding to each horse, rather than expecting the horse to adapt to me, is one of the biggest lessons I will use in Dakar.”
These 2026 Games were initially scheduled for 2022, but postponed due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. They are the fourth such Youth Olympics, following Singapore (2010), Nanjing (2014) and Buenos Aires (2018). Team SA has totalled 15 medals, including six gold, five silvers and four bronzes, in their previous appearances.
Team SA is represented by 46 athletes across 15 sports. The Games run until 13 November.
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