In less than 50 days, on October 31st, Senegal will celebrate the opening of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic GamesThe flame for these Youth Olympic Games was symbolically lit on Thursday at Panathenaic Stadium of AthensThe president of the COJOJ, Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, was present and spoke during the ceremony. The world might ask if Africa can, we answer Africa does not ask if it can. Senegal is ready, Africa is readyWe don't promise perfect Games, we promise real Games, warm Games during which sport will be the common language of the world for 14 days. ", did he declare.
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- IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) September 10, 2026
The # Dakar2026 Youth Olympic Games flame has been lit in Athens and is now heading to Senegal, host of the first Olympic sporting event on African soil. 🔥🌍
🔗https://t.co/xX8FaQfiMf@jojdakar2026 pic.twitter.com/oubjjIXLQB
He particularly emphasized the emphasis on local hospitalityassuring the world that Senegal's welcome would be up to par: In our culture, we don't ask where someone who arrives comes from. We make room for them before they even ask for it. In our culture, a newcomer ceases to be a stranger. They become a guest. Then a friend.Sometimes, they leave with a Senegalese name, an adoptive family, a reason to return. We have experienced this with every visitor who has set foot on Senegalese soil, and we will experience it with 2700 young people from 206 countries. You will not be our guests. You will be at home.. »
