DAKAR, SENEGAL – Senegal received the Youth Olympic flame in Dakar this past Saturday, an important step in the lead-up to the Olympics in Africa.
The flame landed at the Place du Souvenir Africain, after which a parade of 100 Senegalese women called “lingeers” carried it, dressed in bright orange and gold traditional attire with yellow headscarves. During an emotional ceremony, Senegalese former basketball player Mame Maty Mbengue lit a cauldron with the help of the torch near the water.
They lit the flame on September 10 at Athens’ Panathenaic Stadium using sunlight reflected by a parabolic mirror. The flame was officially given to Senegal, which will start its relay across all 14 regions of the country on Monday, en route to the opening ceremony on October 31.
Kirsty Coventry, the President of the International Olympic Committee, expressed her joy regarding the occasion as she said, “Today was even more emotional, seeing the flame for the first time on African soil. Incredible… what an amazing feeling that I will never forget.” She further added that Senegal is “ready, very ready; very capable” and praised its strong government’s support.
Running until November 13 2026, the Youth Olympic Games will include around 2,700 youth athletes across three locations: Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly. The Games would include 25 sports events and 10 engagement sports. Moreover, residents showed environmental consciousness by calling for a “plastic-pollution-free Games.”
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