Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Following the eighth and most recent visit by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Co-ordination Commission on March 25 and 26, the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) have transitioned from the planning stage to the delivery phase.
With just over 200 days until the opening ceremony, the commission explored the three primary host zones: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
These locations will soon host approximately 2 700 young athletes in a historic first for the African continent.
The commission reported significant progress regarding infrastructure.
Key venues, including the Complexe Tour de l’Œuf, Complexe Iba Mar Diop and the Equestrian Centre, are slated for completion this April.
Beyond the physical structures, sport planning has intensified in collaboration with international federations, with competition schedules now locked and ticketing programs preparing for launch.
The workforce is also scaling up.
The Jambaar26 volunteer programme has seen an overwhelming response, receiving over 14 000 applications from 115 countries for 6 000 available positions.
Reflecting on this momentum, Co-ordination Commission chair Humphrey Kayange stated: “What we are seeing in Dakar is a project that has moved from vision to reality.
“The momentum is clear, the commitment is strong, and the focus is now firmly on delivery.
“We are impressed with the preparedness of the team and the quality of the venues, and the months ahead will be crucial, as every step brings us closer to welcoming the world for what will be truly historic and inspiring Youth Olympic Games.”
The “Jeunesse en Jeux” initiative remains the heartbeat of the Games, aiming to engage 300 000 young people through sport, culture, and education.
A pivotal moment will occur on September 10, 2026, when the Youth Olympic flame is lit in Athens, Greece.
After arriving in Dakar on September 12, the flame will traverse all 14 regions of Senegal, visiting 30 different communities.
Organising committee president Mamadou D Ndiaye shared his confidence in the project’s maturity: “The eighth meeting of the IOC Co-ordination Commission was a chance to highlight the remarkable progress made in preparing for the Dakar 2026 YOG.
“The commission could see both how the project is developing and that we are entering the fully mature phase of Games preparation and delivery.
“We are moving into the final straight with confidence and determination. Everything is now in place for us to approach the next milestones with calm conviction and make the Dakar 2026 YOG an exemplary and sustainable success.”
The Dakar 2026 YOG will run from October 31 to November 13, 2026, marking a landmark moment for global sport and African youth.
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