Canada Names Burnett and Wei Flag Bearers
The Canadian Olympic Committee selected the athletes to lead the nation at the upcoming Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Olympics
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The Canadian Olympic Committee has announced that rugby sevens player Adam Burnett and wushu athlete Miranda Wei will serve as flag bearers for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The selection recognizes their leadership, character, and commitment to their respective communities.
Why it matters
These appointments celebrate the achievements of young Canadian athletes as they prepare to participate in the first Olympic sporting event ever held in Africa. The games represent a significant milestone for youth sports, featuring thousands of competitors from around the globe.
The event will feature more than 2,700 athletes across 25 sports and 10 engagement sports. Wushu makes its debut at these games, while Canada prepares to compete in men's rugby sevens for the first time.
The players
Adam Burnett
A rugby sevens athlete based in Toronto who has been named as a flag bearer for Canada.
Miranda Wei
A Calgary-based wushu athlete who won multiple medals at the 2026 World Taijiquan Championships.
Canadian Olympic Committee
The national governing body responsible for selecting athletes and managing Canadian participation in Olympic events.
The details
Seventeen-year-old Adam Burnett, based in Toronto, will represent the nation alongside Calgary-based Miranda Wei, who recently earned two gold medals and a bronze at the 2026 World Taijiquan Championships. The rugby competition will take place at the Complexe Iba Mar Diop.
Timeline
October 31, 2026: Dakar 2026 Opening Ceremony
November 1-2, 2026: Men's rugby sevens tournament
November 1-3, 2026: Wushu competition
November 13, 2026: End of competition
Season Trajectory
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games are a landmark because they are the first Olympic sporting event to take place in Africa. This milestone broadens the scope of the Olympic movement and provides a new competitive stage for international youth athletes.
Canada will make its historic debut in the men's rugby sevens tournament held at the Complexe Iba Mar Diop. Viewers can monitor the medal count for wushu, which is appearing at the Youth Olympic Games for the first time.
The takeaway
The selection of Burnett and Wei highlights the rising prominence of Canadian youth in both team and individual sports. These games provide a platform for athletes to demonstrate their character and athletic ability on a global stage.
Further reading
For more on the national team, visit the Olympics section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Sport Information Resource Centre.
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