Senegal made Olympic history on Saturday as the 2026 Youth Olympic Games officially opened in Diamniadio, becoming the first Olympic sporting event ever held on African soil.
Footage shows crowds queuing outside Abdoulaye Wade Stadium as international delegations arrive for the opening ceremony. Spectators from around the world praised Senegal’s organisation, with one visitor from Guinea urging other African nations to follow its example.
“Through Senegal, Africa is showing that it has the capacity to organise any major sporting event in the world. I think other African countries should be inspired by the Senegalese model,” the spectator said.
A Polish spectator echoed that optimism, suggesting Senegal’s success could open the door to even bigger international competitions on the continent.
“After these Games, I think these are the opening for Africa to do much bigger games, much stronger games, because they are doing everything they can to improve, and they have proved that they can do it,” the spectator said.
Running until November 13, the Games are bringing together approximately 2,650 young athletes from 204 national Olympic committees, alongside the first-ever Youth Refugee Olympic Team.
Competitors aged 14 to 17 are taking part in 153 medal events across 25 sports in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
The Games are also making history for gender equality, becoming the first Youth Olympics to achieve full gender parity across athlete quota places, sports, disciplines and events, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Source: Viory
