Final preparations underway

The president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Kirsty Coventry, stated on Thursday that final preparations were underway, 48 hours before the opening ceremony of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.

Games postponed due to pandemic

Originally scheduled for 2022, these Games were postponed to 2026 in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

IOC president highlights readiness

"Everyone is ready to get started, the final touches are being made and, as we said earlier, the venues are really, really beautiful. The excitement is rising within the village and among the athletes," said Kirsty Coventry, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Dakar 2026 president on youth spirit

Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, president of the Dakar 2026 organizing committee, expressed happiness at seeing young people meet before the competition: "The youth... it's fabulous, because they will discover each other, exchange phone numbers, they will be together."

Youth Olympic Games overview

The Youth Olympic Games, first held in Singapore in 2010, are a scaled-down version of the Olympic Games intended for athletes aged 15 to 18.

Event details and significance

These Games will take place from October 31 to November 13 and will bring together 2,700 young athletes who will compete in 35 different sports disciplines in Dakar and the neighboring cities of Diamniadio and Saly.

Motto and historical context

The motto of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (JOJ) is “The Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates.” Saturday, October 31, will mark the start of two weeks of competitions. For the first time in their history, the JOJ will be held on African soil.

Venue highlights

No fewer than 2,700 athletes aged between 14 and 18 years are expected. Place de l'Indépendance, “Ayo, lion cub wearing a Fulani hat, designed by a 16-year-old high school student, is in the spotlight.” The Iba-Mar-Diop sports complex, located in the neighboring popular neighborhood of Medina, “displayed such beauty.”

Infrastructure improvements

The Olympic pool at the Tour de l’Oeuf in the Point-E neighborhood has been “completely renovated,” and the “West Corniche, offering a magnificent view of the sea, has been chosen for the road cycling circuit.”

Africa's growing event organizing role

"We have mostly spoken of Africa for its sporting talents, and much less for its ability to organize major events. Today, things are changing," notes Frédéric Sohoundé, author of the book African Challenges, in the columns of the pan-African website.