Madar (Dakar) - "We are finally here! We are so happy!" International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said on Thursday, 29 October 2026, at the traditional launch press conference of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games at the Media Press Centre in Diamniadio, 48 hours before the opening ceremony, Wiwsport reported.
Coventry welcomed delegations and athletes from around the world, praised the warm welcome from the moment of arrival at the airport, and thanked the president of the organising committee (COJOJ), Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, and his team "for all their passion". Senegal was awarded the Games in 2018.
The opening ceremony will take place on Saturday, 31 October, at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium, presided over by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, according to the Council of Ministers, which said 6,000 young volunteers have been mobilised.
According to Le Soleil, around 2,700 athletes will compete in 25 sports over two weeks in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly. Senegal is fielding 136 athletes in 23 sports. It is the first Olympic event ever held on African soil.
Mauritania is sending three athletes to the Games.
