| Held on site in Dakar, the eighth meeting brought together the IOC Coordination Commission, the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee (YOGOC) and local authorities for two days of discussions and venue visits.From planning to execution across all areasThe Coordination Commission members noted strong progress across all areas. In close collaboration with the International Federations, sport planning has intensified, with competition schedules locked in and the ticketing programme set to launch soon. The Games will take place in venues primed for the energy and action of the YOG, all of which were visited by the Commission members during their meeting. Complexe Tour de l’Œuf, Complexe Iba Mar Diop and the Equestrian Centre are approaching completion in April, marking key milestones in the final phase of venue development.A key upcoming milestone will be the Chefs de Mission seminar, set to take place in Dakar on 9 and 10 April, bringing together National Olympic Committee representatives as preparations continue.At the same time, the already strong workforce required to deliver the Games is expanding rapidly, further amplified by the talent joining through the Learning Academy. The volunteer programme, Jambaar26, has generated remarkable levels of interest, with more than 14,000 applications received from 115 countries for 6,000 roles, and interviews are underway.Reflecting on the progress and the road ahead, Coordination Commission Chair Humphrey Kayange said: “What we are seeing in Dakar is a project that has moved from vision to reality. The momentum is clear, the commitment is strong, and the focus is now firmly on delivery. We are impressed with the preparedness of the team and the quality of the venues, and the months ahead will be crucial, as every step brings us closer to welcoming the world for what will be truly historic and inspiring Youth Olympic Games.”Placing young people at the heart of the GamesDakar 2026 continues to place young people at the heart of the project. Through the “Jeunesse en Jeux” vision, up to 300,000 young people will experience the Games, not only as spectators, but also as active participants in sporting, cultural and educational activities. This builds on existing initiatives that have already engaged more than 480,000 young people across Senegal.Youth Olympic flame to spark celebrations across Senegal and beyondA major milestone on the horizon is the Youth Olympic flame tour, which was presented during the meeting. The flame will be lit in Athens on 10 September 2026, before arriving in Dakar for a welcome ceremony on 12 September.It will then travel across all 14 regions of Senegal, with around 30 stops planned, bringing the excitement of the Games to communities across the country. At the same time, celebrations will take place across the continent, supported by Olympic Solidarity, extending the reach and spirit of the Games far beyond Senegal.Alongside this, several important milestones in the months ahead will further build excitement, including the unveiling of the official poster, the Games song and dance, and the ceremony uniforms, offering a further insight into the look and feel of Dakar 2026.Organising Committee President Mamadou D. Ndiaye explained: “The eighth meeting of the IOC Coordination Commission was a chance to highlight the remarkable progress made in preparing for the Dakar 2026 YOG. The Commission could see both how the project is developing and that we are entering the fully mature phase of Games preparation and delivery. We are moving into the final straight with confidence and determination. Everything is now in place for us to approach the next milestones with calm conviction and make the Dakar 2026 YOG an exemplary and sustainable success.”The Dakar 2026 YOG will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, bringing together around 2,700 young athletes aged up to 17 across three host zones: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly. |
