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When the Youth Olympics begin in Senegal in 100 days’ time, it will mark a first on African soil.<\/b><\/p>\n
For all the global icons and champions the continent has provided across events such as athletics, football and boxing, it has never hosted an Olympic competition.<\/p>\n
Dakar 2026, which gets under way on 31 October, is set to change that.<\/p>\n
“It is monumental,” International Olympic Committee (IOC) official Christophe Dubi told BBC Sport Africa.<\/p>\n
“Africa has hosted many international competitions, but this is the first time we have anything labelled with the Olympic rings.<\/p>\n
“The entire continent will be celebrating with Dakar hosting.”<\/p>\n
Dakar was chosen as host city in October 2018 and the Games, initially planned for 2022, were postponed until this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing more time for planning.<\/p>\n
It will be held at venues across the Senegalese capital, as well as in the towns of Diamniadio and Saly.<\/p>\n
Thierno Cisse, deputy chief operating officer of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Games, says preparations are firmly on track – and that the entire country is aware of the responsibility which comes with being Africa’s first Olympic host.<\/p>\n
“We know we are going to be ambassadors for Africa during this period,” he told the BBC.<\/p>\n
“It’s really important for us as a country to proudly represents the whole continent and show that Africa has high standards.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n