# Africa set for Olympic first as Dakar Youth Games prepare to open

https://mins.news/en/item/123392

- CGTN, 2026-10-30 17:33 UTC
- Sports
- Original: https://newsaf.cgtn.com/news/2026-10-31/Africa-ready-for-Olympic-debut-with-Dakar-Youth-Games-1RFd7wRQ3gA/p.html?UTM_Source=cgtn&UTM_Medium=rss&UTM_Campaign=World

> IOC President Kirsty Coventry said preparations are ready to welcome nearly 2,700 athletes aged 14 to 17 from 204 National Olympic Committees. The Games, postponed from 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, open Saturday and run through November 13. Senegal will become the first African country to host an Olympic sporting event.

## Related coverage

- [Dakar Youth Olympics: Who gets to hold the flame?](https://mins.news/en/item/123879) — Al Jazeera, 2026-10-31
- [Senegal prepares for historic 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar](https://mins.news/en/item/122282) — France 24, 2026-10-30
- [Excitement grows in Senegal ahead of Youth Olympic Games](https://mins.news/en/video/122214) — France 24 English, 2026-10-30