The Dakar en Jeux Festival recently gathered thousands of people across the host sites of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, celebrating youth, sport, and culture. Marking one year until the Games, which will run from October 31 to November 13, 2026, the festival highlighted the countdown to this major event.
Launched in 2022, the festival has become a flagship initiative of the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee. It provides 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, inviting 1,700 children to try sports such as basketball, futsal, and athletics. Each session included workshops on fair play and ethics awareness, emphasizing the importance of integrity in sport.
Beyond sport and health, the festival showcased 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 alongside emerging local artists. Traditional performances, fashion shows, and youth theatre added to the vibrant atmosphere, highlighting the diversity and creativity of Senegal’s cultural scene.
Educational activities also played a key role. Contests such as “Young Geniuses” and a spelling bee tested children’s knowledge of Olympic values. These events formed 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 symbolising the optimism and dynamism of African youth. The unveiling was attended by high‑ranking officials, including President of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye and IOC President Kirsty Coventry. On the same day, OMEGA, a Worldwide Olympic Partner, revealed the official countdown clock at Dakar Train Station, signalling the start of the final year of preparations.
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 Senegalese host sites: 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 the Olympic spirit.
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