2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games

Some 2,700 young athletes aged 16 to 18 from more than 200 countries and regions will take part in this historic event. The French delegation will send 69 athletes in 22 disciplines.

Since 2019, France has supported Senegal in organizing these Games as part of the Dioko Alliance, with tangible, coordinated actions. This partnership, between the State, local governments and sporting movements, drew on the experience of Paris 2024 to assist with Senegal’s priorities: rehabilitation of sports infrastructures, creation of local facilities, sharing of expertise among federations, and training of young professionals. 

The Learning Academy offers a tangible illustration: 320 young Senegalese received training before joining the organization committee teams. This experience will help them use their skills for future major sports events, particularly the Francophonie Games which Senegal will host in 2031. 

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and its agencies (France Volontaires, AFD, Expertise France) support this collective momentum with financing instruments, but also with experts and volunteers. Dakar 2026 is also a driver for employment and opportunities for French businesses: alongside Senegalese partners, they are taking part in construction, planning, audiovisual production, the Flame Tour, ceremonies, etc. 

This mobilization of the State, local authorities, the sporting movement and French businesses illustrates the ambition of the new French “Sport and Development” strategy: building sustainable projects with our partners, which are tailored to the needs of our partners, and which create skills, jobs and shared opportunities. 

Dakar 2026 will leave a legacy of sporting infrastructures which the population can use, performances to inspire young athletes of tomorrow, as well as skills serving economic development. 

Allez les Bleus, and we wish great success to Senegal for these 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games!

Photos : MEAE