The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will open in three months, on October 31. Humphrey Kayange is monitoring the situation closely as president of the IOC Coordination CommissionPresent in Dakar at the end of June, he will return at the end of August to ensure that everything is in order. Everything is progressing as planned, we will be ready to welcome the whole world " he says on the DOSB website.
« Senegal is a key market in West Africa. These Games offer the country a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate that its infrastructure meets the most demanding standards and to to position itself to host future major eventsand not just in sports. The legacy of these Games for Africa as a whole will be to show the continent what is possible and what it can achieve. The experience gained by the organizers will benefit African countries and will enrich the African sports ecosystemThe many young people participating in the various educational programs will also pass on this experience. ", the former rugby player points out.
However, he does not feel no pressure "For this first Olympic event on African soil, which could open up future opportunities." We consider the awarding of the Youth Olympic Games to Africa as a A fantastic opportunity to demonstrate our potentialWe are aware that everything will be closely scrutinized during these Games. (…) I cannot say how long it will take before Africa is ready for the Olympic Games. We will take advantage of the Youth Games in Dakar to to learn lessons And, in a few years, if Africa is chosen to host the Olympic Games, we will be able to look back on these experiences with optimism. But for now, we must focus on this major event. »
