Jump rope took center stage at the Dakar en Jeux Olympic festival, a vibrant sports festival held from November 7–10 in Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly, Senegal. Organized as part of the lead-up to the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the event featured exciting jump rope demonstrations, performances, and activations hosted by the IJRU Olympic Task Force. These activities brought the dynamic sport to life for festival-goers, inspiring local youth and promoting the integration of jump rope into school sports worldwide with the ultimate goal of achieving Olympic recognition.

The festival also included equipment donations to four high schools in Dakar, paving the way for jump rope programs to begin. Teacher training is planned for early 2025, with a goal to establish a recognized federation in Senegal and expand to other African countries, particularly through school sports. Highlights of the event included jump rope initiations, demonstrations during the finals of the international 3x3 basketball tournament, and meetings with members of the new Senegalese Double Dutch-Jump Rope Federation.

A special thank you to the French Federation of Double Dutch (FFDD) for representing our sport on the path to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. This recognition marks an incredible milestone for jump rope, and we’re deeply grateful to everyone who supported and celebrated this historic moment.

Jump Rope at Dakar en Jeaux 2024