Sports Bulletin Report
Senegal (Dakar): The second edition of the Dakar en Jeux festival gets underway. It will bring a week of celebration of sport and culture to the host areas of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026 – the first Olympic event on the African continent. This second edition will run until 4 November 2023.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural festival, which saw thousands of people participate in sports initiations and demonstrations, music concerts and cultural activities, the 2023 edition will see an even greater focus on bringing sport and the Olympic spirit to Senegalese communities in the lead-up to Dakar 2026. Events will take place in the YOG host areas of Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
Tens of thousands of spectators and 2,000 athletes are expected to take part in the five-day festival, which is a key engagement initiative of the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee (YOGOC) and is aimed at promoting the upcoming YOG while also engaging local youth, promoting physical activity and raising awareness about the values of the Olympic Movement.
Kirsty Coventry, the Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Dakar 2026, said: “After the great success of the inaugural edition in 2022, Dakar is gearing up for another celebration and lots of excitement, as we look forward to the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026. Dakar en Jeux isn't just about showcasing sports; it's also about embracing the values of the Youth Olympic Games, and building bridges between communities. People will have the opportunity to witness incredible athletes, experience the thrill of competition, and connect with like-minded individuals who share their passion for sport and culture.”
The festival programme has been created by and for young people and is being delivered by the YOGOC in partnership with the Senegalese Olympic Committee, the city of Dakar, the cities of Diamniadio and Saly, the Senegalese government and the International Olympic Committee.
The festival is set to begin, 31 October, with an opening ceremony at the iconic Monument de la Renaissance Africaine in Dakar. This marks three years to go until the start of the YOG Dakar 2026. The ceremony will see all 46 departments and 14 regions of Senegal come together to showcase their traditional dances and costumes, underlining the YOGOC’s vision to involve the whole of the host nation in the YOG.
