For more than 100 years, African athletes have won Olympic medals, but the continent has never hosted the Olympic Games. This will change in late 2026 when Senegal hosts the Youth Olympic Games. It will be the first time a sub-Saharan country organizes an Olympic event.
About 2,700 young athletes, aged 17 or younger, will compete in 25 sports. For the first time, there will be an equal number of male and female athletes. They will compete in 153 events, including mixed competitions. A special Youth Refugee Olympic Team will also participate.
The event was planned for 2022 but was delayed by the pandemic. Preparations are now happening in three cities: Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly. The Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio will host the opening ceremony and archery. In Dakar, events will take place at the Complexe Tour de l'Œuf and the Corniche Ouest.
Rugby sevens is one of the featured sports. Eight national teams will compete in Dakar. Senegal is training its young players for the event. Sports leaders hope this will increase interest in sports among young people in the region.
Humphrey Kayange, who leads the coordination for the event, said that rugby opened many opportunities for him and other young people. He believes the event is a unique chance for Africa to show its talent. "Senegal is holding the torch and showcasing Africa," he said.
The event will also include cultural education and youth programs. The slogan "Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates" shows the country's tradition of hospitality, called "teranga" in the Wolof language.
Kirsty Coventry, president of the International Olympic Committee, is the first woman and African to hold this position. Local officials feel proud to represent Africa. "We are ambassadors for Africa," said Thierno Cisse, a deputy chief operating officer for the organizing committee.
Senior official Christophe Dubi called the event "monumental." Ibrahima Wade, the general coordinator, noted that many people thought an African Olympic event was impossible. "The Games are not here yet, but something is changing in the mindset," he said. The event will be a new chapter for sports.