Senegal has begun hosting the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, marking the first time an Olympic event is being staged on African soil.
The competition, which brings together about 2,665 athletes aged between 14 and 17 from different parts of the world, is taking place in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, and surrounding areas.
The Games will feature 25 sports and 153 medal events, with participants competing across eight venues in Dakar, Diamniadio and the coastal town of Saly, about 80 kilometres from the capital.
International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry described the event as an opportunity to change perceptions about Africa and showcase the continent to the world.
“We’ve got people from around the world that maybe had a very different idea about Africa and they’re going to leave, hopefully, with something really positive in mind”, the former Zimbabwean swimmer said during a press conference in Dakar on Thursday.
“I think that is really important for our continent”, she added.
The sporting programme includes athletics, beach wrestling, rugby sevens and breaking, while the opening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday evening in Diamniadio.
Senegal will be represented by 136 athletes, with approximately 6,000 local volunteers expected to support the organisation of the competition.
The West African country has a strong sporting culture, particularly in football, traditional wrestling and surfing.
Football matches are commonly organised by young people on beaches and in public squares, while Dakar’s coastal Corniche attracts residents who engage in running, strength training and group fitness activities.
Despite the historic significance of the event, excitement surrounding the Games has remained relatively modest in parts of the country, as residents continue to grapple with unemployment, rising living costs and economic difficulties.
Senegal Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, however, described the competition as a major achievement for the continent.
“Once the youth Olympic Games in Senegal begin, Dakar will become the capital of African youth,” he said in an interview with AFP this week.
“Africa hosting the (Youth) Olympic Games, it’s a symbol”, he added.
The competition will also mark the return of Russian athletes to the Olympics under their national flag and colours following the International Olympic Committee’s effective lifting of the Russian Olympic Committee’s suspension in July.
It is the first Olympic competition since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 in which Russian athletes have been permitted to participate under their country’s identity.
According to the Russian Olympic Committee, 13 athletes will represent the country, accompanied by 10 coaches.
Anzor Gaunov, who coaches Russian judoka Anastasia Dobrovolskaya, welcomed the development, describing it as a restoration of the country’s sporting rights.
“The kids are excited, it’s good news that our legitimate right to participate with the national anthem and Russian flag has been restored”, he told AFP earlier this month in Moscow.
However, the participation of Russian athletes remains subject to approval by the respective international sports federations.
The Dakar Games will also feature a refugee Olympic team made up mainly of athletes living in Africa.
The IOC has described the competition as a significant milestone for Africa, providing an opportunity to highlight Senegal’s cultural heritage and the continent’s growing involvement in international sports.
Meanwhile, South Africa could become the first African country to host the Summer Olympic Games.
The country, which hosted the 2010 men’s FIFA World Cup, is among those officially in contention to stage the 2036 edition.
