The 200-day countdown is approaching. The IOC Coordination Commission met in Senegal on Wednesday and Thursday to assess the progress made by the Dakar 2026 teams on the ground. When giving a press briefing, Christophe Dubi emphasized the positive energy felt in Dakar, stating that he had “ shining eyes "at the end of this visit." A lot of satisfaction, and a little pride too " he summarized. The executive director of the Games is leaving full of certainty about the quality of the work that has been done ", already looking ahead to a huge popular festival, for young people and by young people ". " It will be simply wonderful, nothing more, nothing less. He promises.
The stadium and swimming pool are ready to be inaugurated at the end of April.
The main expectation: to take stock of the infrastructure delivery. The president of the COJOJ, Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, was confident. D'By June or July, you will see such beautiful facilities that you can already suggest to our authorities that they apply to host other international sporting events' " he told reporters. We're approaching a 97% completion rate today. " he specifies. The Iba Mar Diop stadium, which will host athletics, boxing, futsal and rugby sevens, will be delivered at the end of April, as will the Olympic swimming pool.
General coordinator Ibrahima Wade particularly emphasized the modernization of the Iba Mar Diop stadium, which " This gives our country the ambition to position itself in the high performance arena, because it meets international, not to say Olympic, standards. "The quality of infrastructure is the subject of regular discussions with FIs to ensure that it meets the requirements." to the best standards ", with a view to future continental or world competitions.
The Diamniadio equestrian center is only asking for " finishing touches “,” adds Ibrahima Wade. On the Olympic Village side, seven university buildings are slated for renovation. They will be vacated by the students at the end of May, and the work, which will last two and a half months, will begin immediately afterward. Apart from that, everything else will be in our hands by the end of April.Wade asserts. Today, Dakar is ready, in terms of infrastructure as well as everything else. Christophe Dubi agrees: Nothing is missing! »
Ayo, communication accelerator
Regarding communication, Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye emphasized the importance of launching major campaigns at the right time, so that momentum doesn't fade. If you start too early, you'll burn out. “,” adds Ibrahima Wade, noting a rise in power. A few months ago, people were asking us, "Where are you?" Today, we're one of the organizations with the strongest social media presence. Ayo is the biggest communicator of the Youth Olympic Games. Everyone organizing an event wants Ayo. There's a traffic jam, people have to queue up. We've even developed a request platform to get Ayo at your event! »
The Youth Olympic Games will have a greater visual presence in Dakar starting in May, particularly in signage, with the launch of the plan to Branding that holds the top spot. " April 4th will be a moment of great revelation ", he warns, and " Other key moments will allow Senegal to know that the Games are here. The Organizing Committee for the Youth Olympic Games (COJOJ) also specified that the flame will be lit on September 10 in Athens and will arrive in Dakar on September 12. The relay route is being finalized, but it is already confirmed that it will be divided into 30 stages and that the flame will travel through all 14 regions of the country.
