The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games begin on Saturday in Senegal, becoming the first Olympic event held on African soil, marking a historic milestone for the Black Continent. This edition serves as a significant step for the continent in hosting this major global sporting event.
Kirsty Coventry, President of the International Olympic Committee, stated during a press conference in Dakar: "We are welcoming people from all over the world, who may have had a completely different image of Africa. I hope they leave with very positive impressions. I believe this is very important for the continent." Advertising billboards in the streets of the Senegalese capital light up at night with the slogan: "Africa Hosts... Dakar Celebrates."
The event will feature 2,665 athletes aged between 14 and 17, competing in 25 sports and 153 events until November 13. Competitions are held across eight venues distributed among three cities: Dakar, Diamniadio, located about 30 kilometers from the capital, and Saly, situated on the coast approximately 80 kilometers from Dakar.
The opening ceremony will take place on Saturday evening in Diamniadio, signaling the start of the Games. The event includes 136 Senegalese athletes, along with more than 6,000 volunteers from a country known for its national football team, its deep-rooted wrestling culture, and its famous sites for surfing.
Sports hold a prominent place in Senegalese society, with football fans and young people keenly organizing matches on evenings and weekends on beaches and public squares. This sporting culture is clearly evident in the evening, when the Dakar Corniche and its beaches are filled daily with hundreds of people engaging in running, fitness exercises, and group training.
Source: Arriyadiyah newspaper
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