With just four weeks to go until the opening of the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal's Minister of Youth and Sports, Djireye Clotilde Coly, has expressed confidence in the country's preparedness to host the event. In an interview with RFI, Coly confirmed that Senegal is ready, citing progress on infrastructure, security, and testing. The minister emphasized that the country is working on mobilization and ensuring the success of the games.
Coly addressed concerns over the ongoing construction of roads around the Olympic pool and the site itself, stating that all issues have been addressed with a pragmatic approach and will be finalized before the games. The budget for the event is estimated at 104 billion CFA francs, approximately $150 million. Coly defended the investment, arguing that it should not be viewed as a short-term expense but rather as a long-term investment in the country's future.
According to Coly, the event will leave a lasting legacy, including durable sports infrastructure and intangible benefits such as skills development and associated businesses. She highlighted that 6,000 volunteers have been trained and "Olympic civic and sports" certificates will be deployed in thousands of schools, benefiting over 900,000 young people. The minister also emphasized the immediate benefits for the hospitality, restaurant, and service industries, as well as the arts.
The opening ceremony is expected to attract a significant number of dignitaries, with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye having extended invitations to heads of state. Coly promised a "very beautiful ceremony" but did not provide a specific number of attendees. When asked about a possible invitation to former President Macky Sall, she declined to comment, emphasizing the focus on the event's success.
A total of 135 athletes will represent Senegal in various sports, with Coly expressing optimism about their chances of winning medals. The public can purchase tickets ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 CFA francs, with 750,000 tickets available. The minister expressed confidence in the event's popularity, citing the Olympic flame's current tour of the country's regions.
Coly concluded by stating her optimism about the event's success, highlighting the opportunity for Senegal to demonstrate its capacity to host large-scale events. The games are expected to have a positive impact on the country, both in terms of infrastructure development and economic benefits.
The 2026 Youth Olympics are set to take place in Dakar, Senegal, with the country's authorities working to ensure a successful and memorable event.
Key points
- The Senegalese government has allocated a budget of 104 billion CFA francs for the 2026 Youth Olympics.
- The event is expected to leave a lasting legacy, including durable sports infrastructure and intangible benefits such as skills development.
- A total of 135 athletes will represent Senegal in various sports during the 2026 Youth Olympics.
