Senegal will showcase Africa’s capacity to host major global sporting events as the 2026 Youth Olympic Games begin in Dakar on Saturday, marking the first time an Olympic competition is staged on the continent.
About 2,665 athletes aged between 14 and 17 from across the world are expected to compete in 25 sports and 153 medal events across Dakar, Diamniadio and the coastal town of Saly.
The Games will feature 136 Senegalese athletes, while about 6,000 local volunteers are helping to organise the event.
International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said the competition would give visitors an opportunity to experience Africa beyond their existing perceptions of the continent.
“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,” she said during a press conference in Dakar.
Coventry described the event as particularly important for Africa, which is hosting an Olympic competition for the first time.
The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place in Diamniadio on Saturday evening, with competitions spanning athletics, beach wrestling, rugby sevens and breaking, among other sports.
The Games also mark the return of Russian athletes to Olympic competition under their national flag and colours since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Thirteen Russian athletes are expected to participate, according to the Russian Olympic Committee, although approval for their participation rests with the respective international sports federations.
A refugee Olympic team, made up mainly of athletes based in Africa, will also compete.
Senegal Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo described the event as a symbolic moment for the continent, saying Dakar would become the capital of African youth during the competition.
“Africa hosting the (Youth) Olympic Games, it’s a symbol,” he said.
The event comes as Senegal seeks to use its sporting culture and infrastructure to strengthen its position as a destination for major international competitions.
South Africa is also in the running to become the first African country to host the Summer Olympic Games, having officially expressed interest in staging the 2036 edition.
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