The Dakar en Jeux Festival recently brought together thousands of people across the host sites of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, celebrating youth, sport, and culture. The event marked one year to go until the Games, which will take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026.
The festival, launched in 2022, has become a flagship initiative of the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee, providing a platform for young people to discover new sports, celebrate local culture, and learn about Olympic values. This year’s edition featured the Play Programme, which invited 1,700 children to try various sports such as basketball, futsal, and athletics. Each session included workshops on fair play and ethics awareness, emphasizing the importance of integrity in sport.
In addition to promoting sport and health, the festival celebrated Senegalese culture through music, dance, and the arts. Free concerts were held at Dakar Train Station, and the Grand Concert de Saly featured leading Senegalese performers and emerging local artists. Traditional performances, fashion shows, and youth theatre also contributed to the festival atmosphere, showcasing the diversity and creativity of Senegal’s cultural scene.
The festival also included educational activities, such as the “Young Geniuses” and “Spelling Bee” contests, which tested children’s knowledge of Olympic values. The events were part of a week-long celebration marking the “One Year to Go” milestone for the Youth Olympic Games. A special ceremony at the Grand Théâtre in Dakar unveiled AYO, the official mascot of Dakar 2026, a young lion symbolizing the optimism and dynamism of African youth.
The unveiling was attended by high-ranking officials, including the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and IOC President Kirsty Coventry. On the same day, OMEGA, a Worldwide Olympic Partner, unveiled the official countdown clock at Dakar Train Station, marking the start of the final year of preparations for the Games. The Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 will bring together 2,700 of the world’s best young athletes aged up to 17, competing across three host sites in Senegal: Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly. With one year to go, the stage is set for an exciting and memorable event that will showcase the best of African youth and Olympic spirit.