Full Breakdown
Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games: Africa’s First Olympic Event Takes Shape
By Drooid · · How we work
The Historic Launch of the Dakar Youth Olympic Games
Senegal will host the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games from October 31 to November 13, 2026, the first Olympic-level competition on the African continent. About 2,700 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees will compete in 25 sports across 151 events, supported by roughly 6,000 volunteers at eight venues in three cities.
Preparation and Infrastructure
Senegal has refurbished existing facilities and upgraded venues in Dakar. Thousands of volunteers have completed training as the country prepares for the Games.
Participating Nations and Delegations
- Canada – The Canadian Olympic Committee announced a 28-athlete team in 10 sports.
- Kenya – Kenya’s delegation includes 53 athletes (42 women, 79% of the squad) across 13 sports.
- Oman – Oman will field teams in fencing, aquatics and taekwondo, with competitions scheduled later in the month.
These delegations join athletes from dozens of other countries, creating the largest multinational youth sporting gathering in Africa to date.
Athlete Support and Education
The Youth Olympic Games include an Athlete Education Programme covering safety, anti-doping, mental well-being and Olympism values. Eight IOC Young Leaders, including artistic-swimming Olympian Jacqueline Simoneau, will operate from the Athlete365 House in the Youth Olympic Village.
Training Arrangements
Kenya’s Chef de Mission, Angela Luchivya, noted that most athletes continue training with their federations while attending school.
Timeline
- October 21, 2026 – Canadian Olympic Committee announces Team Canada.
- October 31 – Opening Ceremony in Dakar.
- Later in November – Omani athletes compete in swimming, taekwondo and fencing.
- November 13 – Closing Ceremony.
Data & Statistics
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Athletes expected | ~2,700 |
| National Olympic Committees | 206 |
| Sports contested | 25 |
| Events | 151 |
| Volunteers projected | ~6,000 |
| Canada’s YOG medal history (2010-2018) | 31 medals |
| Kenya’s female athletes | 42 (?79% of its team) |
| Oman’s sport entries | 3 (fencing, aquatics, taekwondo) |
What’s Next
The Games will follow the schedule above, with live coverage on Olympics.com, the official app and partner broadcasters. Post-Games reports will assess the impact on youth sport development across Africa and the participating nations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Dakar 2026 is an excellent opportunity for developing young athletes to gain valuable experience at a multi-sport Games, while being exposed to the educational opportunities and the values of the Olympic Movement,” — Eric Myles, Chief Sport Officer of the Canadian Olympic Committee
- “Currently, the teams have been training under their federations in different venues, the reason being most of the athletes have been in school,” — Mission Angela Luchivya