Senegal Hosts Exhibition Celebrating African Female Olympians

The exhibition, held at the Place du Souvenir Africain, marks the occasion of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026. It showcases 14 pioneering female athletes from Senegal and other African countries who have made significant contributions to the world of sports. The exhibition, a collaboration between the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dakar 2026, and the Olympic Museum, features portraits and historical notes on these remarkable women.

The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through time, highlighting key milestones in the history of African female athletes in the Olympics. In 1920, Blanche Nash from South Africa became the first woman from an African country to participate in the Olympics. Eight years later, four South African swimmers won the bronze medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay, securing the first Olympic medal for African women.

The Senegalese connection to the Olympics began in 1976 with Ndew Niang and Julie Gomis, the first Senegalese women to participate in the Games. Other notable athletes include Constance Senghor, who competed in the high jump at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and Kène Ndoye, who participated in the Sydney and Athens Olympics. Aminata Diouf, a sprinter, also represented Senegal in various international competitions.

The exhibition also celebrates continental achievements, such as Nawal El Moutawakel from Morocco, who became the first African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in 1984, and Derartu Tulu from Ethiopia, who won the 10,000m gold medal in 1992. More recently, Kaylia Nemour from Algeria made history by becoming the first African athlete to win an Olympic medal in gymnastics in 2024.

The exhibition features large photographic portraits of these remarkable women, accompanied by bilingual notices in French and English. Visitors can learn about the lives and achievements of athletes like Catherine Ndereba from Kenya, a double Olympic silver medalist and multiple world champion, and Hellen Obiri, a double Olympic vice-champion and marathon bronze medalist.

The exhibition also highlights Senegalese athlete Amy Mbacké Thiam, a world champion in the 400m in 2001 and bronze medalist at the World Championships in 2003. Her presence at multiple Olympic Games and her contribution to Senegal's national 4x400m relay record make her a celebrated figure in Senegalese sports.

The "Olympiennes africaines" exhibition is open daily from 11am to 7pm until November 13, 2026, and admission is free. Visitors can learn about the courage, perseverance, and achievements of these African women who have paved the way for future generations of athletes.

Key points

• The exhibition celebrates 14 pioneering female athletes from Senegal and other African countries who have made history in the Olympic Games.
• The exhibition features portraits and historical notes on athletes who have achieved significant milestones in the history of African female athletes in the Olympics.
• The exhibition is a collaboration between the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dakar 2026, and the Olympic Museum.