The next ones Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar will be celebrated in 2026 after Senegal and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have "mutually agreed" to postpone the 2022 Games.
Le président du CIO, Thomas Bach, a fait cette annonce lors d’une téléconférence avec des journalistes à l’issue d’une réunion de la commission exécutive du CIO, mercredi 15 juillet.
The IOC Executive Board approved the agreement, which was proposed by Senegalese President Macky Sall during a phone call with IOC President Bach, and which will be submitted to the IOC Session for ratification on Friday.
“This postponement of Dakar 2022 allows the IOC, NOCs and IFs to better plan their activities which have been heavily impacted by the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the subsequent postponement of other international sporting events, and by the operational and financial consequences of the global health crisis,” said President Bach.
“Senegal and the IOC remain fully committed to the great success of these Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026, the first Olympic event ever organised in Africa,” he added.
Mr Bach acknowledged that "this news will be disappointing for many young athletes" and asked for their understanding . .
Un A IOC press release said: “This agreement is a result of the magnitude of the operational challenges facing the IOC, NOCs and IFs following the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.”
Renewed confidence
The statement added that the two leaders "jointly renew their confidence" in the president of the Dakar 2022 organizing committee, an IOC member in Senegal. Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye . .
The postponement of the Games to 2026 "allows Senegal to continue its excellent preparation for the Youth Olympic Games," he said.
Mr Bach said the agreement "illustrates the mutual trust" between the two sides. "I am sure that together we will organise fantastic Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games for Senegal, the entire African continent and all the young athletes in the world."
Meanwhile, President Sall of Senegal said: "I would like to reiterate that the IOC has my full support for the organisation of the Youth Olympic Games, postponed to 2026.
"I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm my confidence in the executive committee and to salute the commitment of its teams, alongside us, to make Dakar 2026 , the first Olympic event in Africa, a successful and memorable event.
