Madar (Dakar) - Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially opened the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on Saturday, 31 October 2026, at a ceremony at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, declaring: "I proclaim open the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar", Senegalese sports site Wiwsport reported.
Senegal is the first African country to host an Olympic competition. The ceremony celebrated young people, Senegalese culture and Olympic values, according to the same outlet.
"This moment is historic for Senegal. For Africa. For our whole Olympic family," International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said in her speech, praising the mobilisation of the Senegalese people and thanking the authorities, the organising committee and the population for their welcome.
Coventry, who is from Zimbabwe, said she was proud to experience the event as an African woman and praised the creativity and energy of young Senegalese people, in line with Games "by young people, for young people". She urged athletes to believe in their abilities and said the Games were also a chance to discover other cultures and build lasting friendships.
Competition had already begun. On Saturday, Senegal claimed their first win through the women's beach volleyball pair of Aminata Tine and Nafi Segnane, who beat Cape Verde 2-0 at Saly, while Mouhamed Sidibé and Souleymane Seck Cissé Thiam beat Palau by the same score, Wiwsport reported.
Following Singapore (2010), Nanjing (2014) and Buenos Aires (2018), Dakar 2026 features 25 sports and 153 medal events across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, and runs until 13 November 2026.
