Africa will make sporting history on Saturday as Senegal hosts the Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympic event ever staged on African soil.
The historic competition will take place across the cities of Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly from October 31 to November 13.
About 2,700 young athletes from around the world will compete in 25 sports for 153 gold medals during the 15-day event.
In addition to the medal events, 10 engagement sports will be held to encourage participation and cultural exchange without awarding medals.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) organises the Youth Olympic Games for elite athletes mainly between the ages of 15 and 17.
Beyond competition, the Games aim to inspire young people and promote the Olympic values of friendship, excellence, respect, peace and solidarity.
The Youth Olympic Games were first held in Singapore in 2010 before moving to Nanjing, China, in 2014 and Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2018.
Dakar was originally scheduled to host the 2022 edition, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event to be postponed.
The Games feature several elements of the senior Olympics while introducing mixed-gender competitions, newer sports and educational cultural activities.
Many athletes who competed in previous Youth Olympic Games have gone on to become Olympic champions, making the event an important platform for future sporting stars.
The Dakar 2026 Games are expected to leave a lasting legacy for African sports by showcasing the continent’s ability to host world-class international competitions and inspiring a new generation of young athletes.
