In 100 days, Dakar will make history as the first African city to host the Youth Olympics.
The event, postponed from 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will bring together 2,700 athletes from around the world to compete in 25 sports. The Games will be held at venues across the Senegalese capital, as well as in the towns of Diamniadio and Saly.
The IOC's Christophe Dubi calls it "monumental," saying it's the first time the Olympic rings will be present on African soil. The entire continent will be celebrating, he added.
A recent report by Senegal's statistics and demographics agency revealed a 27% unemployment rate among those aged 15-34, largely due to a lack of stable job opportunities in the domestic market. Local residents hope the event will bring critical issues to the fore and provide a boost to the economy.
The Games will also feature a debut youth refugee team, selected through trials and development programmes in East Africa. The IOC, working with the Olympic Refuge Foundation and international federations, has identified young refugee athletes who will receive education and wellbeing support.
Dakar 2026 is not just about the sports; it's also about legacy. Organisers have focused on restoring and preserving existing sites, rather than building new venues with limited post-Games use. "Two magnificent locations have been rescued from the centre of Dakar," Dubi said.
The event has also sparked a focus on youth development. The IOC has launched a scheme to train more than 400 young Africans in areas such as event operations, logistics, technology, accreditation, and venue management. "We have more than 30 countries represented from all around the world, but mainly from Africa as youth volunteers," said Thierno Cisse, deputy chief operating officer of the Local Organising Committee.
The Games will be attended by high-profile figures including Senegal football captain Kalidou Koulibaly, influencer Khaby Lame, and French actor Omar Sy, who have been appointed as ambassadors. The IOC has also named 36 athlete role models to provide mentorship to young athletes.
The success of Dakar 2026 will not only be judged by what happens during the two weeks of competition, but by what remains long after the Olympic flame is extinguished. "The Games are opening a whole range of new sports that are not famous here," said Cisse. "Maybe we'll be able to say in 20 years from now that some champions were discovered."
As the event approaches, the focus is on the impact it will have on the continent and the young people who will be involved. The IOC's Kirsty Coventry, who chaired the coordination commission for Dakar 2026, has been a key figure in promoting the Games as a continental moment.
The Youth Olympics are set to begin on 31 October, and the city of Dakar is abuzz with excitement. With 100 days to go, the countdown to history has begun.
Source: Yahoo Sports