Written by: Mohammed Omran
Senegal is preparing to write a new chapter in the history of African sport, as it is now only 100 days away from hosting the Youth Olympic Games.“Dakar 2026“To be the first country on the continent to host an official Olympic event.”.
How is Senegal preparing to make history as the first African country to host the Olympics?
The competition is scheduled to begin on October 31, 2026, after Dakar won the hosting rights in 2018, before the pandemic postponed the event from 2022 to 2026, giving organizers extra time to complete preparations.
The competitions are being held in three cities: Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly, with the participation of approximately 2,700 athletes competing in 25 sports, in addition to activities dedicated to children and youth.
The International Olympic Committee believes that Senegal's hosting of the Games represents a historic moment for the continent, especially since Africa has never hosted an Olympic event before, despite its athletes' contribution to many global achievements.
Senegal is counting on the event to achieve gains beyond sports, as many young people hope that the tournament will contribute to providing job opportunities and revitalizing the economy, given the high rates of youth unemployment.
The organizers enlisted a number of prominent figures as ambassadors for the tournament, including Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly, global content creator Xabi Lam, and actor Omar Sy, with the aim of promoting the event and inspiring young people.
The Games will also feature a team of young refugees, a move that underscores the Games’ message of hope and inclusion, along with programs to train hundreds of African volunteers in the areas of organization and event management.
The organizing committee chose to focus on developing existing sports facilities rather than building new ones, to ensure a sustainable legacy after the tournament ends.
Senegal hopes that “Dakar 2026” will become a new starting point for African sport, and leave a lasting impact in supporting young people and enhancing the continent’s presence on the global Olympic stage.
