Legacy of Dakar 2026 will be formidable-Humphrey Kayange
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 07.02.26. | 13:00
The event will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, bringing together around 2,700 young athletes aged up to 17 across three host zones: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly
With the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) now firmly on the horizon, preparations for Dakar 2026 are translating into visible momentum across Senegal, according to the latest progress report presented to the 145th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session.
Dakar 2026 has entered the delivery phase, with venue works and operational readiness advancing as the Games year begins.
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Preparations are supported by strong national coordination, growing public engagement and a clear focus on youth legacy.
Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for the Dakar 2026 YOG Humphrey Kayange, while addressing the IOC ahead of the Winter Olympics in Milan says the Games will stand as a clear indication of commitment to the youth and the future.
"Beyond the sports venues and accommodation, the legacy of Dakar 2026 will be formidable, training young human capital across Africa," he offers.
Looking ahead, he noted that the arrival of the Olympic flame in September, marked by a nationwide tour across all 14 regions of Senegal and local celebrations across the continent, will unite communities and bring together African countries around the flame, with the support of Olympic Solidarity.
Kayange, in his address, highlighted the great progress and tangible momentum towards Dakar 2026, while noting that organisers remained clear-eyed on the priorities and how these would be monitored and systematically addressed.
Dakar 2026 continues to build confidence through tangible progress on venue works, with several sites having already hosted operational testing.
Venue renovations are designed to support long-term access for young athletes, while the Youth Olympic Village will subsequently be turned into student accommodation.
International Sports Federations are actively engaged through regular site visits and targeted webinars, with the Chefs de Mission Seminar in April marking a key operational milestone.
Public engagement continues to build through milestone celebrations, including the One-Year-To-Go celebrations, alongside the fourth edition of the Dakar en Jeux festival, which included an international futsal competition. The festival also served as a key moment for international engagement with representatives from 42 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) across five continents taking part in open days.
The Youth Olympic Games #Dakar2026 are on the horizon! @jojdakar2026
— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) February 3, 2026
Chair of the Coordination Commission, Humphrey Kayange, delivers his report to the IOC Session today. 👇 pic.twitter.com/vzYUVaOJcL
In the heart of the capital, the Dakar 2026 OMEGA countdown clock now provides a daily reminder of the approaching milestone, marking the days until these Games.
At the heart of Dakar 2026 remains its long-term legacy for African young people. Through the Dakar 2026 Learning Academy, nearly 200 of the 400 available places are currently filled, with participants from 25 African NOCs set to join the YOGOC. This legacy focus is complemented by Jambaar26 ("hero" in Wolof), the Dakar 2026 volunteer programme, launched last December and aiming to mobilise 6,000 volunteers across Senegal.
