Dakar 2026 Opens Africa’s First Youth Olympic Games

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games opened Saturday in Senegal, bringing an Olympic sporting event to African soil for the first time. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye declared the Games open during a ceremony at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio.

The production celebrated Senegalese culture through music, dance and storytelling. Its central journey followed Alkebulan, Keb and Sitoé, characters representing the past, present and future. More than 1,100 performers took part, including 628 dancers, with almost 1,500 costumes produced by Senegalese craftspeople.

Traditional wrestling featured alongside the Simb false-lion performance. Wrestlers including Modou Lo and Eumeu Sene joined the presentation, while musical performers included Kiné Lam, Baaba Maal and Daara J Family. Kya Loum sang Senegal’s national anthem as the ceremony introduced the host country to the visiting teams.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry welcomed the athletes and thanked Senegal’s government, organizing committee and volunteers. Speaking as a Zimbabwean and an African woman, she described the occasion as a source of pride. Coventry also credited Senegal’s young people for helping shape the event with their creativity and energy.

Her address urged competitors to build friendships across national boundaries, learn from one another and support their fellow athletes. She recalled the confidence and opportunities sport had given her before inviting Faye to deliver the formal declaration opening the Games.

Competition is spread across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, with 25 competition sports and 10 engagement sports on the programme. The Games continue through November 13. Dakar is the fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games, following Singapore in 2010, Nanjing in 2014 and Buenos Aires in 2018. Saturday’s ceremony established Senegal as the host of the first African edition and launched the main gathering of young competitors. It also featured content creator Khaby Lame and live painting by Senegalese artist Boubou Design.