As the countdown begins for the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games (Dakar 2026), hosted by Senegal, which will start on October 31, the installations installed all over the city before the first Olympic organization to be held on the African continent are attracting great attention from the public and visitors.
Just a few days before Dakar 2026, which will be held in the capital Dakar between 31 October and 13 November, the Olympic atmosphere has begun to be felt in the streets and squares of the capital.
The city's busy boulevards, main arteries, intersections and historical sites were decorated with Dakar 2026 posters, giant billboards and statues of the young lion "Ayo", the official mascot of the organization.
Statues of the official mascot Ayo, designed by Senegalese high school student Ndeye Mariama Diop, inspired by the lion, which means "joy" in the West African language Yoruba and is the symbol of Senegal, attract attention in many parts of the city.
The statues depicting Ayo performing different Olympic branches, placed in different parts of the city, are flooded with visitors.
Dakar residents show great interest in Ayo's statues, which depict his dynamic movements in many sports, from basketball to hurdles and rowing, and take many photos with the statues.
While the counter installed in front of the historical train station, one of the iconic stops of the city, is counting down to the start of the Olympics, the excitement in the city is increasing day by day.
2 thousand 700 athletes will compete in 35 sports disciplines
The organization will be held in 8 facilities in three main regions, including Dakar, the new administrative city of Diamniadio and the coastal tourism city of Saly.
While the historical Iba Mar Diop Stadium and the Tour de l'Oeuf Olympic Swimming Pool will be completely renovated for the competitions, the modern Dakar Arena with a capacity of 15 thousand spectators and the newly built international equestrian center in Diamniadio will host the competitions.
Surfing, sailing and coastal rowing races will be held on the coast of Saly, a resort town near Dakar. The official Olympic Village, where the athletes will stay, was established on the Amadou Mahtar Mbow University campus in Diamniadio.
In Dakar 2026, where the number of male and female athletes will be equal for the first time in Olympic history and full gender equality will be implemented, 2,700 athletes in the 15-18 age group from approximately 200 countries will compete for medals.
In addition to the basic branches, the program includes 35 sports disciplines, including breakdancing, skateboarding, wushu and baseball5. The Refugee Olympic Team will also compete in Dakar for the first time in Youth Olympics history.
The championship, which was postponed from 2022 to 2026 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, aims to introduce Africa's organizational power and Senegal's "Teranga" (hospitality) tradition to the world.
"We want to show Senegal's hospitality"
Speaking to an AA correspondent at the Renaissance Monument, one of the symbols of the capital, visitor Jess Mabanzu said that he was excited for the first Olympics to be held on the continent.
Mabanzu said, "I invite citizens of all African countries from north to south to Dakar to see this organization closely. Beyond a sports event, I think this will be a celebration." he said.
İbrahima Sy, who works in the Olympic preparation committee, also stated that they are very excited for the organization and that the preparations are continuing at full speed.
Sy said, "We will host athletes from all over the world. We want to show Senegal's hospitality to all visitors, especially athletes." he said.
