All you need to know about the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

On Saturday, 31 October the Olympic rings will be raised for an event hosted on African soil for the first time as Senegal stages the Youth Olympic Games.

The cities of Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly will host 15 days of competition running until 13 November.

About 2,700 athletes are set to compete across 25 sports, with 153 medal events.

There will also be 10 engagement sports held without medals awarded.

What are the Youth Olympics?

Organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the event is an elite multi-sport competition for athletes predominantly aged from 15 to 17.

The aim is not only to inspire young people, but also to promote Olympic values and encourage them to see sport as a vehicle for peace and solidarity.

First held in Singapore in 2010, the Youth Olympics contain several elements of the senior Games but add newer sports, mixed-gender events and cultural activities.

Nanjing, China, staged the second edition in 2014 and Argentina's capital Buenos Aires was the venue four years later.

Dakar was due to host in 2022 before the Covid-19 pandemic forced its postponement.

Since its inception, several participants have gone on to top the podium at the Olympic Games.

South African swimmer Chad le Clos and British taekwondo athlete Jade Jones featured at the the inaugural edition in Singapore and two years later became Olympic champions at London 2012.

American sprinter Noah Lyles claimed 200m gold in Nanjing 12 years ago before winning 100m gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Why is it big news for Africa?

Having the Youth Olympics in Senegal is "monumental" for the continent, according to IOC official Christophe Dubi.

"Africa has hosted many international competitions but this is the first time we have anything labelled with the Olympic rings," he told BBC Sport Africa.

Thierno Cisse, deputy chief operating officer of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), says the whole country feels the weight of the moment.

"We know we are going to be ambassadors for Africa," he said.

"It's really important for us to proudly represent the whole continent and show that Africa has high standards."

There is another link to the top of the Olympic movement.

Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry, who last year became the first woman and first African to be elected president of the IOC, previously chaired the coordination commission for Dakar 2026.

Youth unemployment remains a pressing issue across much of Africa, the world's youngest continent, including in Senegal.

While some residents remain sceptical, organisers hope these Games can provide both immediate and longer-term benefits through employment, tourism, volunteer programmes and skills development.

More than 400 young Africans have already received training in event operations, logistics, technology, accreditation and venue management.

"The impact will be much wider," Dubi claimed. "It starts with sports and this is where it will permeate across the continent."