Youth Olympic Games Begin in Senegal

The Youth Olympic Games have officially begun in Senegal, marking the first time an Olympic event has been hosted on the African continent. The opening ceremony, held on Saturday at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium near Dakar, was attended by thousands and featured vibrant cultural performances, including drummers, dancers, and traditional West African oral storytelling.

A highlight of the ceremony was the formation of a giant map of Africa by performers wearing traditional yellow, black, and white Senegalese gowns, dancing in unison. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye officially declared the games open.

The games, running until November 13th, will see approximately 2,700 athletes aged 14 to 17 compete across Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly. A total of 153 medal events will be contested across 25 sports.

Notably, this event marks the return of Russian athletes competing under their national flag in a major competition since the 2022 conflict in Ukraine, with 13 Russian athletes participating. Additionally, a pioneering refugee team, comprising six athletes residing in Kenya and Uganda, will compete in track and field, judo, and taekwondo.

Dakar was initially slated to host the games in 2022 but was postponed due to the pandemic. The first Summer Youth Games were held in Singapore in 2010.