Downingtown Native to Participate in Dakar Youth Olympic Games

A local rugby player will represent Team USA on the Olympic stage this fall.

Downingtown’s Abigail McGettigan will get a chance to compete for a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. She will compete alongside athletes from across the United States in the games’ rugby sevens competition.

McGettigan was one of 29 athletes selected for Team USA’s delegation to the games, which was announced this week. The Youth Olympic Games afford younger athletes the chance to develop and compete on a world stage. The event is reserved for athletes who are between the ages of 14 and 18.

In a statement released by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, its Director of Summer Games Daniel Smith underscored the value of these games for young athletes.

“The Youth Olympic Games are an important milestone in the development of young athletes, giving them the opportunity to represent Team USA and gain valuable experience competing on the international stage,” remarked Smith, who will also serve as Team USA Chef de Mission for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Dakar 2026 marks the first time that the African continent will host an Olympic event.

As part of the International Olympic Committee’s Fit for the Future campaign, IOC President Kirsty Coventry announced a pause and reflect process for the Youth Olympic Games beginning with the 2030 iteration. A host for those games was supposed to be awarded at the IOC Session in June, but a halt on the process was implemented in May while the IOC took time to “rethink” its objectives for the games. IOC President Kirsty Coventry pointed out that the Youth Olympic Games’ purpose was disjointed after consultation with international federations and national Olympic committees, which led to the pause.

“We got some inconclusive results back,” Coventry observed of survey results after consulting with the federations and national committees. “There’s not a true north star of why we’re doing the Youth Olympic Games.”

Coventry indicated that the commitment to engaging with young people still exists in spite of the halt.

“We want to be able to learn from [young people],” Coventry emphasized. “We want to encourage them to take part in sport.”

In spite of the long-term halt, Smith was still excited for this iteration.

“Dakar will be a special moment for the Olympic Movement,” Smith observed, “and we’re excited for our athletes to embrace the opportunity, build connections with young athletes from around the world and proudly represent the United States on this historic stage.”