GOLD, TEARS & FRENCH ROOTS: DAKAR HAS A NEW SKATEBOARD HERO!
A 16-year-old French-American wins Olympic gold for Team USA. His French dad steals the show. And France has another young talent to celebrate.
DAKAR, SENEGAL — November 4, 2026. History was made on African soil as the Youth Olympic Games welcomed the world's next generation of skateboarding stars.
And one teenager from Long Beach, California, just gave us a seriously GOOD NIOUZE!
Julian Jeang-Agliardi - TEAM USA Gold medal in the men's street skateboarding - 2026 Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal
His name? Julian Jeang-Agliardi. Remember it because 2028 is knocking at our doors!
At just 16 years old, the French-American skateboarder delivered an outstanding performance in the men's street final, scoring 149.37 points to claim Olympic youth gold for Team USA. The Netherlands' Tijmen Overbeek took silver, while Switzerland's Simon Gerber secured bronze.
worldskatesb @julian_agliardi INCREDIBLE finals lines
THE GOLD WAS AMAZING. THE HUG WAS EVERYTHING.
But the moment that really melted our hearts wasn't a kickflip over a rail or even the gold medal. It was his dad. As Julian celebrated his victory, his father Yannick couldn't hold back the tears. Years of dedication, countless hours at skateparks and one unforgettable father-son embrace. The Olympic Games shared the emotional footage, and suddenly, it wasn't just about skateboarding anymore.
It was about family, dreams and a proud French dad watching his son reach the top of the world.
Father & Son - Yannick Jeang-Agliardi in tears in his son Julian’s arms after his gold medal win.
FROM TEAM FRANCE TO TEAM USA: WHY THE SWITCH?
Born and raised in Long Beach, California, to a French father and an American mother, Julian Jeang-Agliardi originally chose to represent France. And he wasn't just making up the numbers! In 2024, at only 14, he became French national street skateboarding champion, after making his international debut for France at the Dubai World Cup, finishing 26th. But behind the scenes, things weren't rolling so smoothly. Tensions between his family and the French Skateboarding Federation, including disagreements over selection and support, eventually pushed him toward Team USA. Julian also explained that representing America was meaningful because the country had given his immigrant family opportunities and allowed him to pursue his skateboarding dreams. In May 2026, he won the US Nationals and officially joined Team USA. Six months later? Olympic youth gold in Dakar! A huge win for America… and perhaps a little regret for French skateboarding!
Yannick Jeang-Agliardi was emotional during the podium ceremony.
AND WHAT ABOUT TEAM FRANCE?
Let's not forget Lucie Schoonheere, France's 16-year-old skateboarding sensation.
Already an Olympian at Paris 2024, the reigning French champion arrived in Dakar with big ambitions. Unfortunately, a few costly falls left her in seventh place, less than one point away from qualifying for the women's final.
No medal this time, but an impressive journey for a teenager who has already competed at two different Olympic events. And with Los Angeles 2028 approaching, the future remains wide open.
Lucie Schoonheere finished 11th in women's street skateboarding at the Paris 2024 Olympics,
NEXT STOP: LOS ANGELES 2028?
For Julian, winning gold in Dakar might only be the beginning.
The Long Beach teenager already has his sights on the next Summer Olympics, practically in his own backyard.
For Lucie, LA28 could be another opportunity to show the world what French skateboarding can do. But guess what...? Team France is quite impressive and we will be sharing that soon with some other GOOD NIOUZE! Stay tuned for more...
GOOD NIOUZE ONLY. 🛹💙🤍❤️
French is the flavor, not the fence.
cela promet cest bon ca!!