• Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics construction 95-96% complete, organizers say
• Games to host 2,700 athletes across Dakar, Diamniadio, Saly
• Event scheduled Oct. 31-Nov. 13, 2026, first in Africa

Organizers of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) held a press conference on Wednesday following the eighth coordination commission meeting to detail progress on construction and infrastructure for the first Olympic event to be held in Africa.

The Games will take place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13, 2026, across three host cities: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly. These locations were selected for their dynamism, infrastructure and capacity to host disciplines in a safe and well-equipped setting. In Dakar, three sites will serve as the main showcase venues: the Iba Mar Diop multisport complex in Medina, the Tour de l’Oeuf with its Olympic pool, and the Western Corniche, which is expected to become the center for celebrations and youth engagement. This distribution gives the capital a central role that is sporting, symbolic and public-facing.

Diamniadio, located 30 km from Dakar, will serve as the logistical hub. The 50,000-seat Me Abdoulaye Wade Stadium will host the opening ceremony and archery competitions. The Dakar Arena, the Exhibition Center and the Equestrian Center complete a hub capable of hosting a large number of events and spectators. In Saly, 80 km from Dakar, temporary facilities will be dedicated to water and beach sports. The organization relies on a three-part structure: the showcase in Dakar, the logistical hub in Diamniadio and the coastal venue in Saly.

Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, president of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee (COJOJ) and president of the Senegalese National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSS), said overall construction is currently between 95% and 96%. All work should be finished by July. This was confirmed by Christophe Dubi, executive director of the Olympic Games at the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Participants, events and logistics

Dakar expects 2,700 athletes aged 14 to 17 from 206 countries, including a refugee team composed of African athletes. They will compete in 35 disciplines, including athletics, swimming, archery, badminton, Baseball5, 3x3 basketball, boxing, breaking, road cycling, equestrian (jumping), fencing, futsal, artistic gymnastics, beach handball, judo, coastal rowing, rugby sevens, sailing, skateboard (street), table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, beach volleyball, beach wrestling and wushu. A total of 151 events will be held, balanced between male and female athletes with 72 events each and seven mixed events.

Regarding accommodation, the Youth Olympic Village will be located at Amadou Mahtar MBOW University in Diamniadio, near the sports venues and directly connected to the Regional Express Train (TER) station. This will allow athletes to stay close to competition zones while benefiting from a structured transport link. Additional transport, including certified vehicles, will be provided to facilitate the movement of delegations, according to Ibrahima Wade, general coordinator of Dakar 2026.

Security measures are in place. "I think that today we can hold completely 'safe' Games," Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye said. "The authorities have considered all scenarios to avoid any surprises and to reassure the parents of athletes outside Senegal as well as the young athletes."

The traditional Olympic torch relay ceremony is scheduled ahead of the official launch of Dakar 2026. The lighting will take place on Sept. 10, 2026, in Athens, Greece. It will then be transported by special flight to Dakar. The flame will tour the 14 regions of the country across 30 stages from Sept. 14 to Oct. 16, 2026.