🇸🇳 Senegal Sports Story: Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics1 November 2026

Paul Kagame attends opening of Youth Olympic Games in Dakar

By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on The New Times (Rwanda)

Rwandan President Paul Kagame attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar on 31 October alongside Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and other leaders. The competition, held until 13 November in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, brings together around 2,700 young athletes in 25 sports, according to The New Times.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar on Saturday 31 October, alongside his Senegalese counterpart Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, according to Rwanda’s The New Times. The ceremony took place at Abdoulaye Wade Stadium.

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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.

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The opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games was held at the Abdoulaye-Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, attended by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, according to Le Soleil and Africa Top Sports. The first edition held in Africa brings together around 2,700 athletes in 25 sports over two weeks. Africa Top Sports highlighted the tribute to Senegalese wrestling and futsal’s inclusion in the programme.

🇸🇳 Senegal · Source: Le Soleil · 31 Oct

Youth Olympic Games open in Dakar, first Olympic competition in Africa

The Youth Olympic Games have opened in Dakar, bringing together 2,600 athletes aged 14 to 17 for 153 events until 13 November, according to France 24 Afrique; Kassataya gives 2,665 participants and the BBC about 2,700 young people from 206 countries. Senego reports more than 2,700 athletes from 207 countries and national Olympic committees, as well as the presence of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The first Olympic competition held in Africa also marks the return of Russian athletes under their national colours, while Senegalese hope for lasting benefits.

🇸🇳 Senegal · Source: France 24 · 31 Oct

Bassirou Diomaye Faye opens Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics in Senegal

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially opened the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on Saturday 31 October at the Abdoulaye-Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, according to Bamada.net and Mali Actu. Nearly 207 national Olympic committees are taking part in the event, the first to be held in Africa, according to the two media outlets.

🇸🇳 Senegal · Source: Bamada.net · 1 Nov

Julius Maada Bio arrives in Dakar for the 2026 YOG

Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio has arrived in Dakar to attend the sport and development summit and the opening ceremony of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. He was welcomed by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, according to Sierra Loaded.

🇸🇳 Senegal · Source: Sierra Loaded · 30 Oct

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