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🇸🇳 SenegalSportsStory: Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

Pau Gasol attends opening of Dakar YOG

By , based on Senego

Pau Gasol attends opening of Dakar YOGPool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa · CC BY (attribution requise)

Pau Gasol, the former Spanish NBA star, arrived in Dakar to attend the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The two-time NBA champion announced his presence on social media before the competition opened, Senego reports.

Former Spanish basketball player Pau Gasol attended the opening of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Senegal, according to Senego. A two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, he announced his presence in Dakar in a social media post on 31 October: “Let the #YouthOlympics begin”.

Pau Gasol also won the World Championship with Spain in 2006 and three EuroBasket titles, in 2009, 2011 and 2015. His presence added to that of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Prince Albert II of Monaco, who came to attend the opening of the first YOG held in Africa, Senego reports.

The competition brings together more than 2,700 athletes from 207 countries and national Olympic committees. It began after the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games opened in Senegal on 31 October, and Paul Kagame’s presence in Dakar was announced the same day here.

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Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games flame arrives in Senegal and is celebrated in several countries, while Dakar prepares for the Games.

The latest developments

Earlier in this story

  1. 1 NovSenegalese judoka Matar Diop wins bronze at Dakar Youth Olympics
  2. 1 NovDakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games: Elvira Espinosa wins 400m freestyle
  3. 1 NovDR Congo takes part in Dakar YOG in seven disciplines
  4. 1 NovYoro Dia congratulates Sall and Faye on Dakar YOG
  5. 1 NovPaul Kagame attends Youth Olympics opening in Dakar
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