JOJ opens in Dakar, Senegal

The Youth Olympic Games (JOJ) began in Dakar, Senegal, marking the first Olympic event to be held on the African continent. The event will run until November 13, with around 2,700 athletes under the age of 17 competing in 25 sports across three cities: Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly.

Event spans multiple locations and sports

Competitions will be held at eight venues, with 136 athletes from Senegal participating. Despite the scale of the event, Senegal faces economic and social challenges, including heavy debt and an ongoing crisis, which have limited public enthusiasm for the games.

Senegalese president highlights national pride

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye emphasized the significance of the JOJ, stating that "the entire African youth is watching you with confidence and pride" after the Olympic flame was hosted in Dakar on September 12. The flame traveled 3,600 kilometers during a tour of the 14 regions of Senegal.

Russian athletes return to JOJ

The JOJ will be the first Olympic competition where Russian athletes will be allowed to compete with the colors, flag, and anthem of Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) in July, allowing 13 Russian athletes to participate in various sports.

Olympic refugee team joins event

The Dakar games will also feature an Olympic refugee team composed of athletes based in Africa. The IOC described the 2026 JOJ as "an important step for the continent" and "an opportunity to highlight the cultural wealth of Senegal and the growing role of Africa in the Olympic movement."

Human Rights Watch urges rights protections

In response to the event, the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on Senegalese authorities to stop the "brutal repression" of LGBT+ people in the country, following the March vote of a new law doubling the penalties for homosexual relationships. HRW reminded the authorities that the Olympic Charter prohibits discrimination and obliges host countries to respect human rights.