The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games officially opened in Senegal on Saturday evening, 31 October, marking the first time an Olympic sporting event has been staged in Africa.
The ceremony at Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio brought young athletes together for a celebration of Senegalese and wider African culture. The Games run until 13 November.
South Africa has a squad of 46 athletes across 15 sports, according to Team SA. Its programme includes swimming, athletics, rugby sevens, rowing, equestrian and beach volleyball, alongside archery, artistic gymnastics, badminton, beach wrestling, cycling, fencing, judo, skateboarding and triathlon.
A milestone for African sport
The Brazilian Olympic Committee, reporting from the opening, said the artistic programme followed three generations of a family to portray Africa’s past, present and future. Senegalese music, cinema and traditional wrestling featured in the show.
Former Senegalese Olympic hurdler Amadou Dia Ba carried the flame around the stadium before passing it to two young Senegalese competitors, fencer Abdourahmane Marieme Sy and judoka Aicha Diop, the committee reported.
Brazil’s flag was carried by equestrian Anna Katharina Brukhnova and swimmer Daniel Moura. The committee said most athletes entered the stadium early in the ceremony, with the flagbearers’ parade taking place later.
Some competition had already begun on Saturday before the opening ceremony, including beach volleyball, table tennis and coastal rowing.
