For the first time, the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) will be organized in Africa, notably in Dakar, from October 31 to November 13, 2026. The competitions will take place in Dakar, Diamniadio and the seaside resort of Saly. In Dakar, the Iba Mar Diop stadium and the Olympic swimming pool, currently being renovated, will host certain events. Senegalese sports federations have high expectations from the upgrade of these infrastructures.
The renovation of the Iba Mar Diop stadium will include the construction of new fields for football and other team sports. The rugby federation hopes to obtain priority use of the new ground. The athletics federation expects to receive new tracks and equipment after the games. The renovation is coordinated by AGEROUTE Senegal, with doubled grandstand capacity and new equipment for various sports.
The artisans of the Medina, impacted by the rehabilitation of the stadium, are waiting to be relocated to a new space called “the leather house”. Although work on this site has not yet started, promises have been made by the YOG organizing committee.
The Dakar Olympic swimming pool will also be renovated with the aim of reducing water consumption. A new accommodation center is planned, although the swimming federation has previously encountered access problems. Work on the swimming pool should be completed before the end of 2025.
In Diamniadio, no new construction but use of existing infrastructure such as the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium and Dakar Arena. Ahmadou Makhtar Mbow University will serve as the Olympic village.
In preparing for the YOG, Senegal wishes to represent the whole of Africa. The slogan “Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates” reflects this spirit. Lessons are being learned from the Lausanne YOG to ensure that infrastructure is useful after the event.
Senegal
