Crowds began arriving at the stadium at lunchtime.
Spectacular Opening for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics
by Philip Barker at the Stade Abdoulaye Wade
The Youth Olympic Flame has been lit by two teenage Senegalese athletes. Fencer Abdourahmane Marieme Sy and judoka Aicha Diop set Dakar 2026 in motion by igniting a cauldron at a Ceremony which delivered in abundance on its promise of African exuberance and energy.
“For years, we have talked about this moment. The first Olympic sporting event on African soil and now – here we are! This historic moment is for Senegal and for Africa and for our entire Olympic Movement,” said International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry.
“What makes these Games even more special is that young people have been at the heart of everything. Not just young athletes, but the young people of Senegal who have helped bring these Games to life, with your ideas, your creativity, your energy. These really are Games for the youth, by the youth!”
In her message Coventry told the 2,654 young competitors: “Sport opened so many doors in my life. It gave me confidence to believe in myself and to dream big. And that is what I wish for every single one of you during these Games. Just take a moment. Look around you. Take it all in. You have worked very hard to get here. The early mornings. The long hours of training and all the people who have helped you along the way. And I know how you’re feeling right now. Excited? A little nervous? Maybe a lot nervous? I remember that feeling!”
It fell to Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye to open the Games.
Many of the crowd had made their way to the stadium at lunchtime for the evening Ceremony.
They were determined to dance and sing, even before the arrival of the competitors en masse signalled the start of the formal Ceremony.
The story of development of Senegal was told by symbolic figures Keb and his young daughter Sitoe. The connection of different generations has been a theme of the Youth Olympics since the inaugural Games in 2010 when the Olympic Flag was passed from great champions of the past to aspiring athletes from the host nation.
Eventually Sitoe is entrusted with the gift of wisdom and knowledge by Cheikh Anta Diop, historian anthropologist and physicist and politician. Although he died 40 years ago, he is still revered in Senegal as one of the nation’s foremost intellectuals.
“All our knowledge is contained in this seed. We entrust it to you. Take good care of it. And don’t forget: If you go so far that you don’t know where you’re going, go back to where you came from,” he told the young girl, Sitoe.
Some 1000 dancers performed exuberant routines culminating in a representation of the continent of Africa in the centre of the stadium. There were also performances from traditional Senegalese singer Baaba Maal and Queen Mother Alkebulan appeared on horseback, accompanied by traditional Senegalese dancers.
Later, dancers formed the Olympic Rings and then reconfigured to spell out the words “Dakar 2026 YOG.”
The flag bearers of each team had entered the stadium led according to tradition by Greece represented by swimmer Eirini Zervou and coastal rower Iason Mouselimis.
They were followed by Lourance Numukiza of taekwondo and sprinter Rachid Rochene representing the first Refugee Olympic Team at the Youth Olympics.
There was a sour note when booing was heard as swimmer Ofir Simcha and judoka Itamar Cohen appeared with the Israeli flag. It was an echo of a similar incident at Milano Cortina when the United States team endured boos aimed at U.S. Vice President JD Vance in the San Siro.
The Russian flag was also present, carried by swimmers Serafima Fokina and Bogdan Toropkin after what many consider to be a controversial decision by the IOC. For the first time since the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian flag has been seen in an Olympic arena.
The anticipation in the crowd grew as the Senegal flag, presented to the team at the Presidential Palace earlier this week, was carried by Ndeye Khady Anna Diatta (Beach Wrestling) and Ibrahima Beye (Taekwondo).
Then the Flame arrived in the stadium. Senegal’s only Olympic medallist Amadou Dia Ba who won silver ahead of the legendary Edwin Moses in the 400m hurdles at the 1988 Seoul Games was amongst those entrusted with the Flame during its final journey.
Senegal’s only Youth Olympic medal was won by Babacar Cissé who won silver in taekwondo at the inaugural Games 16 years ago. His medal was won representing a team of Mixed National Olympic Committees.
Here in Dakar, the Senegalese team of 136 is the largest in their history. On home soil they are hoping for medals.
In addition to our website, you can also find information on Olympic history, personalities and stories on our social media platforms facebook, twitter and instagram @ISOHOlympic and Via Linked at LinkedIn: isoh.org/linkedin
There are no comments published yet.