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Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Open as Africa Hosts Its First Olympic Event

Senegal opened the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on Saturday at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, bringing about 2,700 athletes aged 14 to 17 to the first Olympic event ever held on African soil.

By admin Nov. 1, 2026 · 6:43 AM ET 2 min read

A large stadium at night with floodlights on and fireworks bursting in the sky above the stands

Senegal opened the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on Saturday, bringing the first Olympic event ever held on African soil to the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, near the capital, Dakar. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye formally opened the Games at a ceremony attended by young athletes from around the world, senior international officials and several African leaders, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry addressed the ceremony, thanking the host country and urging the young athletes to compete, make friends and learn about people from other countries. “This historic moment is for Senegal and for Africa. And for our entire Olympic Movement,” she said.

Young athletes in colorful tracksuits marching on a running track at night carrying small solid-color flags

A ceremony built around Senegalese culture

More than 1,100 performers took part in the ceremony, which used music, dance, traditional performances and storytelling to present chapters of Africa’s past, present and future. Senegalese traditions featured prominently, including performances by traditional wrestlers and artists, and the program included a concert by Senegalese musician Youssou N’Dour. Nearly 1,500 costumes were made for the occasion.

What the Games include

The Games run from October 31 to November 13 and are expected to bring together about 2,700 athletes aged 14 to 17. They will compete in 25 sports across 153 medal events at venues in Dakar, Diamniadio and the coastal town of Saly, alongside 10 engagement sports.

Distant runners on a red running track curving around a grass field inside a large stadium

According to the International Olympic Committee, Dakar 2026 is the first Youth Olympic Games to reach full gender equality across athlete quotas, sports, disciplines and events. A Youth Refugee Olympic Team is also taking part, with six athletes representing displaced young people.

A large metal cauldron bowl with a bright flame burning inside it at night in a stadium

Dakar is the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games, following Singapore in 2010, Nanjing in 2014 and Buenos Aires in 2018. Senegal was selected to host in 2018, and the event was initially planned for 2022 before it was postponed to 2026 because of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reporting based on coverage by Okay News and Swahili Today.

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