ICF President Thomas Konietzko is hopeful the Games will help the sport gain popularity in Senegal, leading the country to future success in major competitions.

Konietzko led an ICF visit to the Senegalese capital, where he inspected the facilities to be used for Dakar 2026.

The canoe events are due to be held at the water sport venue at Saly, on the outskirts of Dakar, where it will join rowing, sailing, beach handball and several other sports for the Youth Olympics.

"The venue is a really unique place, one which I'm sure will prove a great showcase for canoeing and other water sports in 2026," Konietzko said.

"I am really impressed with the vision of the organisers, and their plans to use the same facilities for several sports.

"It opens up lots of possibilities and I think will provide a blueprint for future event organisers."

During his visit, Konietzko met Dakar 2026 Organising Committee coordinator-general Ibrahima Wade, and Senegal's Ministry of Sport secretary general Paul Dionne to discuss progress for the Games.

The event was originally scheduled for 2022 but postponed until 2026 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is due to take place between October 31 and November 13.

Canoeing has been part of the Youth Olympic Games programme since the event's inception at Singapore in 2010.

The event, for paddlers aged between 15 and 18, is a hybrid competition combining canoe sprint, canoe slalom and kayak cross skills.

The venue in Dakar will provide opportunities to further modify the canoe competition and the types of boats that will be used, Konietzko promised.

"The YOG is designed to allow sports to be innovative and to modify their competitions to provide challenges to the athletes, while also attracting new fans globally," Konietzko said.

"As we have shown at previous YOGs, we are not afraid to make changes.

"Our goal is to make the canoeing events one of the most exciting on the 2026 Dakar programme.

"And ultimately our goal is to leave a canoe legacy in this great city and country."