From the vibrant coastline of Dakar to the fast-developing venues in Diamniadio and the coastal hub of Saly, Senegal is preparing to welcome the world. In just over 200 days, these locations will come alive with the energy of young athletes, the rhythm of culture and the spirit of Olympic sport. Over the past two days, they also formed the backdrop for the eighth meeting of the IOC Coordination Commission for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
Key facts
- With just over 200 days to go, the eighth IOC Coordination Commission meeting was held on site in Dakar, marking the transition to the final delivery phase
- Up to 300,000 young people are expected to be engaged through the “Jeunesse en Jeux” initiative during the Games
- The Youth Olympic flame will be lit in Athens on 10 September 2026 and will travel across all 14 regions of Senegal
Held on site in Dakar, the eighth meeting brought together the IOC Coordination Commission, the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee (YOGOC) and authorities for two days of discussions and venue visits.
From planning to execution across all areas
The Coordination Commission noted strong progress across all areas. In close collaboration with the International Federations, sport planning has intensified, with competition schedules locked in, and the ticketing programme set to launch soon. The Games will take place in venues primed for the energy and action of the YOG, all of which were visited by the Commission during its meeting. Complexe Tour de l’Œuf and Complexe Iba Mar Diop are approaching completion in April, marking key milestones in the final phase of venue development.
A key upcoming milestone will be the Chefs de Mission seminar, set to take place in Dakar on 9–10 April, bringing together National Olympic Committees as preparations continue.
At the same time, the already strong workforce required to deliver the Games is expanding rapidly, further amplified by the talent joining through the Learning Academy. The volunteer programme, Jambaar26, has generated remarkable levels of interest, with more than 14,000 applications received from 115 countries for 6,000 roles, and interviews underway.
Le président de la commission de coordination du CIO, Humphrey Kayange, a déclaré à propos des progrès accomplis et de la voie à suivre : « Ce que nous voyons à Dakar, c’est un projet passé de la vision à la réalité. La dynamique est là, l’engagement est fort, et l’accent est désormais clairement placé sur la mise en œuvre. Nous sommes impressionnés par le niveau de préparation des équipes et la qualité des sites. Les mois à venir seront déterminants : chaque étape nous rapproche de l’accueil du monde pour des Jeux Olympiques de la Jeunesse qui s’annoncent véritablement historiques et inspirants. »
Placing young people at the heart of the Games
Dakar 2026 continues to place young people at the heart of the project. Through the “Jeunesse en Jeux” vision, up to 300,000 young people will experience the Games, not only as spectators, but as active participants in sport, cultural and educational activities. This builds on existing initiatives that have already engaged more than 480,000 young people across Senegal.
Youth Olympic flame to spark celebrations across Senegal and beyond
A major milestone on the horizon is the Youth Olympic flame tour, which was presented during the meeting. The Flame will be lit in Athens on 10 September 2026, before arriving in Dakar for a welcome ceremony on 12 September.
It will then travel across all 14 regions of Senegal, with around 30 stops planned, bringing the excitement of the Games to communities across the country. At the same time, celebrations will take place across the continent, supported by Olympic Solidarity, extending the reach and spirit of the Games far beyond Senegal.
Alongside this, several important milestones in the months ahead will further build excitement, including the unveiling of the official poster, the Games song and dance, and the ceremony uniforms, offering further insight into the look and feel of Dakar 2026.
Reflecting on the progress and the road ahead, Coordination Commission Chair Humphrey Kayange said: “What we are seeing in Dakar is a project that has moved from vision to reality. The momentum is clear, the commitment is strong, and the focus is now firmly on delivery. We are impressed with the quality of the team and the venues, and the months ahead will be crucial, as every step brings us closer to welcoming the world for what will be a truly historic and inspiring Youth Olympic Games”.
Dakar 2026 will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, bringing together around 2,700 young athletes aged up to 17 across three host zones: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
