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The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games have officially begun, marking a historic milestone as Africa hosts an Olympic event for the very first time.
In a moving speech addressed Saturday evening to young athletes gathered at the Abdoulaye Wade stadium in Diamniadio, the president of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry, urged competitors to take full advantage of this moment, telling them: “You are going to live the best moments of your life. »
She praised the youth-focused vision of these Games, saying: “What makes these Games so special is that young people have been at the heart of everything. »
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Ms. Coventry also highlighted the importance of this event for the continent, saying: “This is the Africa that I am so proud of and that I can’t wait to show the whole world. »
Speaking about her own roots, she added: "I'm proud to be Zimbabwean and proud to be an African woman," before encouraging athletes to "be brave and encourage each other."
This historic ceremony reached a key moment when Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially declared the Games open, paving the way for a series of symbolic firsts on African soil.
As the Olympic anthem rang out throughout the stadium, the Olympic flag was raised for the very first time at an Olympic event held in Africa. A few moments later, all eyes turned to the Olympic flame.
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The torch, which arrived in Senegal in September and traveled to all 14 regions of the country, was carried into the stadium by Senegalese athletics legend Amadou Dia Ba — who remains the country's only Olympic medalist to this day after winning silver in the men's 400m hurdles at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
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In front of thousands of spectators, Dia Ba helped create a new iconic image during the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, the culmination of a ceremony prepared for years.
This two-hour show, organized under the motto “Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates”, brought together around 11,000 participants, including some 700 dancers from all over Senegal.
Designed by Senegalese creatives, it was intended to be a celebration of national identity and, more broadly, African cultural diversity.
Ambassadors, including Franco-Senegalese actor Omar Sy and social media star Khaby Lame, were among the personalities present.
Nearly 2,700 athletes aged 14 to 17, from more than 200 nations, will now compete in 25 sporting disciplines until November 13, at sites spread between Dakar, Diamniadio and the seaside resort of Saly.
The competitions had already started the day before with Baseball5, one of the two new Olympic disciplines of these Games, alongside wushu taolu.
Full gender parity applies to the entire program, and a Refugee Olympic team also competes.
For many people across the continent, this moment was a strong affirmation of Africa's place within the Olympic movement.
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