International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry has arrived in Senegal ahead of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which will begin on October 31, marking the first Olympic sporting event to be hosted on African soil.
Coventry arrived at Blaise Diagne International Airport shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Monday, October 26, where she was welcomed by Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, president of the Dakar 2026 organising committee, and its coordinator, Ibrahima Wade. Volunteers greeted the IOC chief with songs and cheers.
Speaking after her arrival, Coventry expressed excitement about the event and praised the preparations undertaken by Senegalese organisers.
“We are here, and it is now or never. It is Africa’s moment. It is Senegal’s moment,” she said, adding that she expected the Games to be a memorable occasion for athletes and visitors.
The visit comes five days before the opening ceremony, as organisers make final preparations for the competition, which will run from October 31 to November 13 across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
Dakar 2026 will be the first Olympic event held in Africa, a milestone for Senegal and the wider continent. Organisers expect approximately 2,700 young athletes from around the world to participate, with equal representation of male and female competitors across delegations.
The programme will feature multiple sports and activities designed to promote athletic development, cultural exchange and the Olympic values of respect, friendship and excellence.
Senegal has also used the Games to promote youth participation and showcase its culture. The Olympic flame arrived in the country on September 12 and travelled through all 14 regions before returning to Dakar for the opening ceremony.
The Games are expected to provide an opportunity to raise Senegal’s international profile and demonstrate Africa’s capacity to host major sporting events. Organisers have also highlighted potential benefits for tourism, youth development and local communities.
Coventry, a former Zimbabwean Olympic swimmer and the first African and first woman to lead the IOC, has previously described Dakar 2026 as an opportunity for the continent to showcase its athletes and hospitality to a global audience.
With the opening ceremony approaching, attention is turning to the readiness of venues, the coordination of participating delegations and the delivery of an event expected to attract international sporting and media attention.
The Games will place Senegal at the centre of the Olympic movement for two weeks, while giving young athletes a platform to compete internationally and connect with peers from different countries.
Leave a comment