15 Team GB athletes selected for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games – including two Performance boxers

England Boxing is delighted to congratulate Lily Bassett and Michael Maughan after the pair were officially confirmed in Team GB’s squad for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The British Olympic Association (BOA) has named a 15-strong team of athletes who will represent Team GB at the Games in Senegal from 31^st October to 13^th November 2026.

Dakar 2026 will make history as the first Olympic sporting event to be held on African soil, bringing together around 2,700 young athletes from across the world. Team GB’s athletes, all aged between 14 and 18, will compete across seven sports, including boxing.

Bassett and Maughan became the first athletes officially selected for Team GB at the Dakar Games when the boxing team was announced in June.

Since her selection, Bassett has continued her remarkable rise by winning a fourth consecutive European title at the U19 European Championships, cementing her place as one of Britain’s brightest young boxing talents ahead of Dakar.

Speaking after her Team GB selection was announced, Bassett said: “I’m really excited and proud to have been selected for the Youth Olympics. It’s something I’ve been working towards for a long time, so to get this opportunity means the world to me.

“All the hard work in training and the support from my coaches, family and team has helped me get here.

“Representing Team GB is a massive honour; it’s every athlete’s dream to compete for their country, and I can’t wait to wear the Team GB kit and step out on that stage. I’m really looking forward to testing myself against some of the best young boxers in the world.”

“My goal for the competition is to go out there and bring home the gold for Team GB. I’ve put in a lot of hard work to get here, and I believe in myself and what I can do. I want to perform at my best, gain experience at this level and make the most of the opportunity by giving everything I’ve got.”

Photo credit: Sam Mellish / Team GB

Bassett will compete in the women’s 48kg category, while Michael Maughan has been selected in the men’s 70kg division.

The Stockport & Brinnington boxer heads to Senegal following a superb run of performances, including European gold at the U17 European Championships in Germany last December.

Maughan said: “I feel very honoured and proud to represent my country and very grateful to be given the opportunity to box on the world’s best stage.”

“Preparing to represent Team GB is a proud and exciting opportunity – it means giving my best every day in training, staying disciplined and representing my country with professionalism, respect and pride both in and out of the ring.”

“My goal for the competition is, of course, like any other and that is to come back with a gold medal for Britain and show the world who I am and to become Youth Olympic Champion.”

England Performance will also be represented on the coaching team, with National Coach Mick Maguire and Performance Coach Louise Vidor travelling to Dakar.

The pair have worked closely with both boxers since the 2023 European Championships in Slovenia and have overseen six gold medals between Bassett and Maughan during that time.

Two-time Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee will lead Team GB in Senegal as Chef de Mission, guiding the next generation of British athletes through their first major multi-sport Games.

Brownlee said: “I want to say a huge congratulations to all 15 athletes selected to represent Team GB at Dakar 2026.

“As Chef de Mission, I’m incredibly proud to welcome them to the team and excited to support them as they take this next step in their sporting journeys.

“I had the chance to meet the team at our Team Summit this past weekend and it was fantastic to see their excitement and hear about their ambitions for the Games. I’m really looking forward to supporting them throughout the experience and, most importantly, I hope they embrace every opportunity, enjoy every moment and make memories that will stay with them for years to come.”

Team GB Athletes – Dakar 2026

Team GB Boxing Coaches: Mick Maguire and Louise Vidor

Team GB Chef de Mission: Alistair Brownlee.