Africa ready for Olympic debut with Dakar Youth Games

On Saturday, the inaugural Olympic Youth Games commence in Dakar, Senegal, marking a historic first for Africa. Almost 2,700 young athletes, aged 14 to 17 from 204 national Olympic committees, will compete in the multi-day event. Despite a four-year delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Games are set to proceed as planned, according to Olympic President Kirsty Coventry.

Coventry, the first African to lead the Olympic organization, expressed her pride and excitement at the event's readiness. The Youth Games follow an initial scheduled date of 2022, when they were postponed due to the pandemic. The venues, athletes' village, and various aspects of the Games have been prepared with the help of more than 6,000 volunteers.

Security arrangements include assistance from Spanish and French police officers, who have experience from the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite last-minute challenges with energy and rain, organizers have given the green light for the event to begin. The success and lasting impact of the Dakar Youth Olympics are expected to be significant, leaving behind a legacy of infrastructure, venues, and personnel that could benefit the region for years to come.