Having the Youth Olympics in Senegal is “monumental” for the continent, according to IOC official Christophe Dubi.
“Africa has hosted many international competitions but this is the first time we have anything labelled with the Olympic rings,” he told BBC Sport Africa.
Thierno Cisse, deputy chief operating officer of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), says the whole country feels the weight of the moment.
“We know we are going to be ambassadors for Africa,” he said.
“It’s really important for us to proudly represent the whole continent and show that Africa has high standards.”
There is another link to the top of the Olympic movement.
Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry, who last year became the first woman and first African to be elected president of the IOC, previously chaired the coordination commission for Dakar 2026.
Youth unemployment remains a pressing issue across much of Africa, the world’s youngest continent, including in Senegal.
While some residents remain sceptical, organisers hope these Games can provide both immediate and longer-term benefits through employment, tourism, volunteer programmes and skills development.
More than 400 young Africans have already received training in event operations, logistics, technology, accreditation and venue management.
“The impact will be much wider,” Dubi claimed. “It starts with sports and this is where it will permeate across the continent.”