The wait is over for Dakar, Senegal, as the city prepares to host the first Olympic Youth Games (Joj) in Africa, starting on October 31, 2026. The event, taking place at the Stade Abdoulaye Wade, marks a significant milestone for the continent, with 2,700 athletes from 25 disciplines set to compete over 14 days. The games aim to promote the values of excellence, respect, friendship, and self-improvement through sports.
The Olympic flame, lit in Athens on September 10, 2026, has been touring Senegal since its arrival on September 12. The flame was handed over to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and has been traveling across the country under the slogan "Pass the Energy." The flame will light the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony, which will be attended by a large crowd of spectators.
A total of 15,000 people, including athletes, officials, government delegations, media, and partners, have arrived in Dakar for the event. The Cojoj has set up a reception and orientation system at the Diass platform to facilitate their arrival. Ibrahima Wade, the coordinator general, emphasized that the airport will be the first and last image of Senegal presented to the world.
The Senegalese team, comprising 136 athletes competing in 23 disciplines, is the largest delegation in the country's Olympic history. The athletes have settled into their base camp in Guéréo, and the country is ready to host the event. Eight sites in Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly will host the competitions, supported by 6,000 volunteers and 25,000 accredited individuals.
The Olympic Youth Games are not only an organizational challenge but also a symbol of Africa's capacity to host major international events and contribute to Olympic history. Dakar is showcasing Senegal's capabilities, hospitality, and ambition, blending popular fervor with the solemnity of the event. The games offer Senegal the opportunity to display its cultural heritage and place in the international sports movement.
The youth are at the heart of these games, with 2,700 athletes representing their countries and embodying the hopes of a generation that sees sports as a space for expression, emancipation, and fraternity. The event aims to promote unity and understanding among young people from different cultures and backgrounds. For Senegalese and African youth, watching the best talents of their generation compete on their continent is a source of inspiration.
The opening of the Olympic Youth Games marks a new chapter in African sports history, with Dakar serving as a symbol of an Africa that welcomes, unites, and asserts its ambitions. Over 14 days, performances, emotions, and encounters will tell a common story of a youth united by their passion for sports. The event is expected to leave a lasting legacy for Senegal and the African continent.
Key points
- The Olympic Youth Games in Dakar promote unity and understanding among young people from different cultures and backgrounds.
