Senegal launches nationwide Olympic flame relay for Dakar 2026

The Olympic flame has arrived in Senegal, marking the start of a nationwide relay ahead of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Dakar. This event represents the first time an International Olympic Committee competition will be hosted on the African continent.

Following its lighting in Athens, the flame was received at the Place du Souvenir Africain in Dakar. The relay is scheduled to cover approximately 3,650 kilometers across all 14 regions of Senegal. More than 400 to 500 torchbearers will participate in the journey, which is expected to conclude in late October.

The official launch in Dakar featured high-level officials, including President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and IOC Coordination Commission President Christy Coventry. The relay aims to promote Olympic values and mobilize the nation's youth. The Dakar 2026 YOG are scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13, featuring approximately 2,700 young athletes competing in various disciplines across Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly.