Senegal intensifies preparations for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

Preparations for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are intensifying in Senegal through various community and institutional initiatives. In Saly, the ‘Gatandou JOJ’ program recently mobilized youth and local populations through sports and cultural demonstrations, including MMA and Bakou, to promote Olympic values. Ibrahima Wade, General Coordinator of the Dakar 2026 Organizing Committee, emphasized that the games serve as a vital opportunity for youth engagement and regional legacy.

Supporting the logistical requirements, Télédiffusion du Sénégal (TDS-SA) has committed technical and logistical resources to ensure full audiovisual coverage and signal distribution for the event. Additionally, the National Police have trained 100 young volunteers from Saly to assist during the games.

On a national level, more than 40 sports federations gathered in Diamniadio for the National Forum of the Senegalese Sporting Movement. The forum focused on the development of a new Sports Code to address governance, professionalization, inclusion, and sustainable financing. Meanwhile, the symbolic preparations continued with former Olympic swimmer Dr. Mohamed Diop participating as a torchbearer for the Olympic flame during a relay through several Dakar neighborhoods.