Senegal is making final preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which are scheduled to open on October 31 and run until November 13.
The Games will be held across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, with an expected 2,700 young athletes set to compete in 35 sports. The event will be the first Olympic event held on African soil.
Final preparations underway
Kirsty Coventry, president of the International Olympic Committee, toured the Youth Olympic Village on Thursday, two days before the scheduled opening.
Coventry said preparations were progressing well, venues were ready and excitement was growing among the athletes. Those assessments were made during her visit to the village as Senegal completed its preparations for the event.
Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, president of the Dakar 2026 organising committee, highlighted the wider purpose of the Games beyond competition. He said the event would give young athletes an opportunity to meet, exchange experiences and develop friendships.
A delayed edition
The Dakar Games were initially scheduled for 2022 but were postponed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rescheduled event is now set to bring together athletes aged 15 to 18.
The Youth Olympic Games were first held in Singapore in 2010. They are intended to promote sporting excellence, friendship and the Olympic spirit among young competitors.
With events planned in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, the 2026 edition is also expected to place Africa on the global Olympic stage while creating opportunities for young athletes to share experiences across countries and sporting disciplines.
No Comment! Be the first one.