Dakar 2026: Ten days until the first Olympic Games held on African soil

With ten days to go until the opening, Dakar is dressing up in Olympic colors. The Youth Olympic Games will be held from October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Senegal: these will be the first Olympic Games ever organized on African soil, the International Olympic Committee reminds us on its page dedicated to the event.

The African Renaissance Monument now displays the five rings. The main arteries of the capital are decked out with flags and posters, and the mascot Ayo is appearing in several neighborhoods, from Grand-Yoff to Mermoz and Hann-Bel-Air, reports allAfrica in a feature published on October 22, 2026. The chosen slogan reflects the ambition: "Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates."

2,700 athletes, 25 sports, three cities

Nearly 2,700 young athletes aged 14 to 18 are expected, according to Le Soleil. The program includes 25 competitive disciplines, in addition to ten so-called engagement disciplines, which involve no competition. The events will be spread across eight venues between Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly.

The Iba Mar Diop complex will host rugby sevens, taekwondo, and athletics; the Tour de l'Œuf complex will host swimming, 3x3 basketball, skateboarding, and breaking; the Corniche Ouest will host road cycling. The Diamniadio Exhibition Center will host judo, boxing, fencing, table tennis, wushu, and artistic gymnastics, while the Dakar Arena will host badminton and the futsal finals. Coastal rowing, beach volleyball, triathlon, beach wrestling, windsurfing, and beach handball will take place at Saly Plage Ouest. The Abdoulaye Wade Stadium will host archery and the ceremonies.

A city reorganizing itself

The Governor of Dakar, Ousmane Kane, signed a decree on October 20, 2026, temporarily regulating traffic, parking, and emergency lanes starting October 31, indicates allAfrica, which specifies that the text is still subject to publication formalities. Defense and security forces, CETUD, AGEROUTE, SECAA, and the organizing committee are mobilized, as well as thousands of volunteers from the Jambaar26 program, tasked with welcoming delegations and guiding visitors.

The flame, lit in Greece, is finishing its tour across the country before returning to the capital. An Olympic refugee team will also participate in these Games, the IOC specifies.

For two weeks, the continent will therefore no longer just be a provider of champions for the stadiums of others: it will be the host. For a generation of young Africans, this is the first time the Olympic ring has been drawn on their home soil.