DAKAR — Signs across the Senegalese capital proclaim “Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates” ahead of the Youth Olympic Games, which will mark the continent’s first time to hold an Olympic event when they kick off on Saturday October 31.
Over the course of two weeks some 2,700 athletes aged 17 or younger are expected to compete across 25 sports, including Russians who are returning to the Games following a ban.
Events ranging from athletics to beach wrestling, rugby sevens to breaking will be held across eight venues in three locations.
Dakar, the nearby suburb of Diamniadio and the beach town of Saly, 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the capital, will all host events.
A total of 136 Senegalese athletes will participate, according to AFP.
Senegalese authorities, who have overseen extensive infrastructure projects, view their efforts as an investment in the future as well as an occasion for training and long-term skill development.
They also hope the fourth edition of the YOG will highlight Dakar as a major African destination.
Upon welcoming the Youth Olympic flame to Dakar on September 12, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye told the country that “all of Africa’s youth is watching (you) with confidence and pride”.
He said he wanted those who attended “to take away from the experience that Africa’s youth is brimming with energy, that they are standing tall and determined, and that they are proud”.
The flame then travelled 3,600 kilometres (2,200 miles), touring all 14 regions of Senegal.
