The Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 officially opened on Saturday, 31 October, with a spectacular ceremony at the 55,000 capacity Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Senegal.
More than 1,000 performers took part in the historic event. It marked the first time an Olympic Games has been held on African soil.
The ceremony featured performances by Kiné Lam and Baaba Maal, alongside a guest appearance from social media star Khaby Lame.
The celebration centred on the theme “The Rise of Sitoé”. Through three fictional characters, Alkebulan, Keb and Sitoé, the show explored Africa’s past, present and future.
Alkebulan, the mother, represented the past. Her son Keb stood for Africa today, while Sitoé, a young girl, symbolised the continent’s future.
Baaba Maal opened one sequence with a song about Africa. A large parade then paid tribute to the continent’s 54 countries, with 360 dancers and music from across Africa.
The performers also formed a choreographed map of the continent. The 54 nations wore bold, matching outfits that appeared to represent equality and unity.
The act ended with Keb arriving on a motorcycle to meet his daughter, Sitoé. He removed his necklace and placed it around her neck, symbolising the passing of a legacy from one generation to the next.
He then delivered a speech:
“This is a necklace that your grandmother gave me when I was about your age. It has been passed down from generation to generation since the dawn of time. Today it is yours. My dear daughter, tomorrow it will be your turn to inspire the world. …. You will not be alone, look around you. Listen to your heart and listen to the earth.”
Athletes Parade and Leaders Declare Youth Olympic Games Open
The parade of athletes followed, accompanied by traditional Senegalese music and dance. A male and female athlete from each country carried their national flag.
Greece marched first, as is customary at the Olympics. The Refugee Youth Olympic Team followed in a historic first, marking its debut at the Youth Olympic Games.
The remaining teams marched in alphabetical order. Senegal, the host nation, came last and received the loudest cheer from the home crowd.
Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, president of the Local Organising Committee, spoke of Senegal’s pride in hosting the first Olympic event on the continent.
“This ceremony crowns a long road, one that began far from here, in Buenos Aires in 2018. Thank you for believing in Dakar.
“For 15 days, forget that world. Here, your opponent is not an enemy. They are the one who helps you become better.
“Win, lose, start again, but above all, dare. Dare to make friends. The finest record will not be measured in seconds or medals. It will be the record of the unity you bring to life here.”
International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry then spoke of her pride in welcoming the Olympic Movement to her home continent.
“I think you’re in for something very special! This is the Africa that I am so proud and so excited for the world to experience. And it makes me incredibly proud to be standing here tonight. A proud Zimbabwean. And proud to be an African woman. And so proud that our continent is welcoming the Olympic Movement for the very first time.”
Coventry also encouraged the young athletes to use sport as a source of confidence, friendship and inspiration.
“Sport opened so many doors in my life. It gave me confidence to believe in myself and to dream big. And that is what I wish for every single one of you during these Games.
“I hope these Games give you the confidence to believe in yourselves. To dream big. And to do things you never thought were possible.
“So give it everything you’ve got. Be brave. Make new friends. Get to know people from different countries. Cheer each other on. And have fun!
“I now declare the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 Open”
Senegal president Bassirou Diomaye Faye then officially declared the Games open, setting the stage for 14 days of competition.
The Olympic flag was raised to the sound of the Olympic Anthem by six members of the Senegalese forces. The Youth Olympic Games Oath followed, delivered by two Senegalese athletes, a judge and a coach.
The oath pledged respect for the rules and the values of fair play, inclusion and equality. It also committed athletes and officials to compete without doping or cheating, while using sport to help make the world a better place.
Olympic Cauldron Lit by Senegalese Athletes
The lighting of the Olympic cauldron marked the official start of the Games. Senegalese athletes Abdourahmane Marieme Sy, from fencing, and Aicha Diop, from judo, carried out the ceremony.
The flame left Athens on 10 September and arrived in Senegal two days later, following its lighting and handover at the Panathenaic Stadium.
It then travelled through all 14 regions of Senegal, passing through more than 30 stages.
Previous torchbearers included Senegalese Olympic medallist Amadou Dia Ba, along with athletes Saly Sarr and Yves Bourhis.
The ceremony ended with a spoken word performance by Nigerian artist Ibquake, who explored the future of Africa alongside a group of dancers.
Their masks and futuristic costumes brought an Afrofuturist style to the stage. A 12 year old performer then delivered a drum solo before the cast returned for a final bow.
The opening ceremony marked a historic moment for Senegal and the Olympic Movement, as Dakar welcomed young athletes from around the world for the first Olympic Games on the African continent.
