YOG “Dakar 2026”: 8 sites, 3 cities, the map of a historic edition

From October 31 to November 13, 2026, Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly will vibrate to the rhythm of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG). For the first time, the African continent will host this meeting. 2,700 young athletes, girls and boys aged 14 to 17, are expected. A multi-site system has been designed: eight sites distributed between the capital, the new town of Diamniadio and the seaside resort of Saly. The challenge: to welcome each discipline in a suitable space and to discover several facets of Senegal.

The Egg Trick at Point E : between urban sports and aquatic disciplines At the heart of Point E, the Tour de l’Œuf complex will occupy a central place. Known for its Olympic swimming pool, it has benefited from rehabilitation work for the Joj. Its program reflects the diversity of the Games. Spectators will follow sports that combine technicality, agility, creativity and physical performance. The presence of urban disciplines alongside swimming will give the complex a particular animation. Beyond the events, the rehabilitation of the site constitutes a legacy issue, with the objective of having equipment better suited to young people’s sporting activities after the Games. Disciplines: 3×3 basketball, baseball5, breaking, swimming and skateboarding.

The Iba Mar Diop complex: the Medina to the rhythm of competitions

Head to the Medina, one of the popular and historic districts of Dakar. The Iba Mar Diop complex is another Joj anchor point in the capital. It will host disciplines with varied requirements, which will highlight endurance and speed as well as technical mastery, collective strategy and combat. Its location in a densely populated neighborhood gives a special dimension to the site. The competitions will take place in direct contact with the populations. Disciplines: athletics, futsal, rugby sevens and taekwondo.

The West Corniche: when the coastline becomes a sports field

After the sports complexes, it’s time for the great outdoors. With its unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean, the West Corniche offers a unique setting. An emblematic axis of Dakar, it will be used for road cycling events, for which it will host the start and finish. The site will also serve as a framework for the ten disciplines of engagement planned in the program. The choice of the Corniche reflects the desire to take the Games out of the stadiums and into spaces familiar to Dakar residents. Disciplines: road cycling and ten commitment disciplines.

By Samba Oumar FALL