The Olympic flame arrived in Dakar, Senegal, over the week-end, marking another milestone ahead of the continent’s first Olympic sporting event, the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Hundreds gathered at Dakar’s Place du Souvenir Africain to welcome the flame, with a procession of 100 Senegalese women, known as “lingeer” — a Wolof title associated with queens or royal women — carrying it to the waterfront plaza.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye received the flame and described its arrival as historic, noting that it was burning on African soil for the first time for Olympic Games organised on the continent. Senegalese basketball legend Mame Maty Mbengue later lit the Olympic cauldron.
International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry described the upcoming Games as a proud moment for Senegal and Africa, expressing confidence in the continent’s ability to successfully host the event.
The flame departed Athens, Greece, on Thursday, September 10, 2026, after being lit using the sun’s rays and a parabolic mirror in accordance with Olympic tradition. It was subsequently handed over to Senegal at the Panathenaic Stadium.
Beginning Monday, September 14, the flame will embark on a 3,600-kilometre tour across all 14 regions of Senegal, involving more than 400 Senegalese torchbearers, before returning to Dakar for the opening ceremony.
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will run from October 31 to November 13, bringing together about 2,700 athletes to compete in 35 sports across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
The Youth Olympic Games, first held in Singapore in 2010, are designed for athletes aged between 15 and 18.