Africa’s first Olympic event
In less than 100 days, Senegal will host the first-ever Olympic event in Africa: On October 31, Dakar will host the Youth Olympic Games.
“This is a milestone,” said Christophe Dubi, a high-ranking official of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), according to “Africa News.” He noted that this marks the continent’s first true Olympic moment, one in which all of Africa can participate.
Dakar had already won the bid in 2018. The Games were originally scheduled to take place in 2022 but were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The competitions will be held in Dakar and two nearby cities, Diamniadio and Saly.
According to “Africa News,” the organisers have enlisted well-known figures to raise awareness of the Games: Senegalese national soccer team captain Kalidou Koulibaly, social media star Khaby Lame, and French actor Omar Sy are serving as ambassadors.
The IOC has also recruited 31 athletes to mentor young participants during the Games.
Last year, the IOC launched a program that trained over 400 young Africans in event operations, logistics, and venue management. More than 30 countries are represented among the youth volunteers, most of whom are from Africa.
At the Youth Olympic Games, approximately 2,700 athletes will compete in 25 sports and 10 non-competitive activities.
The event is not cheap: According to media reports, Senegal has spent about 270 million USD on the construction of the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, where the opening ceremony will take place.
The country’s Ministry of Sports estimates that hosting the Games themselves could cost around $60 million. Neither the local organisers nor the IOC were willing to confirm these figures to the BBC.
