The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president has praised Senegal’s hosting of the Youth Olympic Games, saying the event demonstrated Africa’s ability to organise and deliver a major international sporting competition.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry has expressed pride in the successful hosting of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, describing the event as a significant moment for the continent.
Speaking at the final press conference on Friday, Coventry said the competition had demonstrated Africa’s capacity to host major international sporting events.
“We’ve shown the world the capability,” she said, urging Africans to take pride in the achievement.
Coventry also commended Senegal for bringing together the facilities, organisation and people required to deliver the competition.
“We really as a continent have to be very proud, and as Senegal you need to be extremely proud of everything that you’ve brought together and delivered,” she added.
The Games, held from October 31 to November 13, 2026, brought together young athletes from around the world to compete across various sporting disciplines, providing a platform for emerging talents to gain international experience.
Dakar 2026 is particularly significant as the first Olympic sporting event to be hosted on African soil. Its selection marked a milestone in the Olympic movement’s efforts to expand the reach of international sporting competitions.
The Youth Olympic Games were established to combine high-level competition with education, cultural exchange and opportunities for young people to engage with the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.
Coventry’s remarks underline the wider significance of the Dakar edition, extending beyond the medals and sporting results to the opportunities it has created for Senegal and Africa to showcase their organisational capacity and sporting potential.
The successful staging of the event is expected to strengthen conversations around Africa’s place in international sports hosting and its capacity to attract more major competitions.
