Senegal is preparing to make sporting history as Dakar hosts the Youth Olympic Games, bringing together thousands of young athletes from more than 200 National Olympic Committees. The event will feature 25 sports, equal participation by male and female athletes, and emerging disciplines such as Baseball5, skateboarding and Wushu. It will also offer a platform for young competitors, including refugee athletes who have trained far from their home countries.

As Mohamed Abubakar explores in this Africa Watch episode, the significance of Dakar 2026 extends beyond the competition itself. Senegal is relying largely on existing and upgraded facilities, raising questions about how host countries can balance the demands of a global sporting event with long-term benefits for local communities. With Africa hosting an Olympic event of this scale for the first time, what follows after the closing ceremony may prove just as important as the action on the field.

Credit List:

Executive Producers: Sun Lan, Wang Haiyang

Planning Editor: Matthias Muindi

Reporter: Mohamed Abubakar

Digital Producer: Francisca Wanjiru

Creative Designer: Bemnet Goitom

Cameraman: Eric Mukenga

Graphic Designer: Dancan Ogola