The Olympic flame for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games arrived in Senegal on Saturday, an event Prime Minister Ahmadou Alhaminou Lô described as a symbolic and historic milestone. Lit in Athens, the flame touched African soil for the first time in connection with the Youth Olympics, with Senegal set to become the first African nation to host the Games.
Speaking at the welcome ceremony, Lô said: "C'est avec une émotion particulière que nous accueillons aujourd'hui, sur le sol sénégalais, cette Flamme allumée à Athènes et portée jusqu'à Dakar." He added: "L'Afrique accueille. Dakar célèbre. Et le Sénégal s'apprête à vivre un moment historique."
The Prime Minister framed the Games as a national ambition backed by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, built around youth and Senegal's international standing. He argued that sport is a lever for confidence, excellence and openness, and assured that the state had thrown its full weight behind preparations to welcome young athletes from around the world.
Lô also stressed that the Games must leave a lasting legacy. "Nous voulons que chaque jeune Sénégalais puisse regarder ces Jeux et se dire : moi aussi, je peux rêver grand, moi aussi, je peux réussir, moi aussi, je peux contribuer à l'avenir de mon pays," he declared. He praised the organising committee led by Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, the IOC, diplomatic missions and partners, while saluting the Linguères for embodying dignity, leadership and unity.
