Senegal Launches Year-Long Countdown to Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics First in Africa

Senegal is marking the one-year countdown to the historic Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympic event to be hosted on African soil. The celebrations began with the unveiling of the official mascot and the Omega countdown clock in Dakar, with key figures including Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and IOC President Kirsty Coventry participating in the launch. The Games, scheduled from October 31 to November 13, 2026, will feature 2,700 athletes competing in 25 sports across three host zones: Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly. Alongside the competitions, the Dakar en Jeux festival will promote Olympic values through sports, music, and visual arts, engaging thousands of students, athletes, and artists. The event also aims to foster youth empowerment, social inclusion, and economic development in Africa, supported by significant government funding and international collaboration. This milestone highlights Africa's growing role in global sports and cultural events, showcasing the continent's organizational capabilities and vibrant cultural heritage.