Africa has welcomed its first ever Olympic event, as the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games opened on Saturday 31 October 2026 with a spectacular ceremony in Senegal.
The opening ceremony took place at the 55,000-capacity Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, about 30 kilometres from Dakar. It marked the fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games, and the first time any Olympic event has been staged on the African continent.
More than 1,000 performers took part in the ceremony. Around 2,700 athletes aged 14 to 17 are set to compete, with the Games running until 13 November.
The ceremony was built around the theme “The Rise of Sitoe”, telling Africa’s past, present and future through three fictional characters: Alkebulan, representing the past; Keb, representing today; and Sitoe, representing tomorrow.
In the parade of nations, Greece marched first, followed by the Refugee Youth Olympic Team — the first time such a team has taken part in the Youth Olympic Games. Host nation Senegal marched last, to the loudest cheer of the evening.
Senegalese singer Baaba Maal performed during the ceremony, and a parade paid tribute to the 54 African countries, accompanied by 360 dancers.
Local Organising Committee president Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye said: “This ceremony crowns a long road, one that began far from here, in Buenos Aires in 2018.”
The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, officially declared the Games open, saying: “I now declare the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 Open”.
The Olympic flag was raised by six members of the Senegalese forces to the Olympic Anthem, and the Youth Olympic Games Oath was delivered by two Senegalese athletes, a judge and a coach. The Olympic cauldron was lit at 20:20 local time, closing the ceremony.
Source: Olympics.com
