Dakar was awarded the Youth Olympic Games in 2018, before agreeing with the IOC to postpone the event from 2022 to 2026 to allow for more sustainable planning

🌐 Here's What Happened

When the Youth Olympics begin in Senegal in 100 days' time, it will mark a first on African soil.

For all the global icons and champions the continent has provided across events such as athletics, football and boxing, it has never hosted an Olympic competition.

Dakar 2026, which gets under way on 31 October, is set to change that.

📌 Key Details

"It is monumental," International Olympic Committee (IOC) official Christophe Dubi told BBC Sport Africa.

"Africa has hosted many international competitions, but this is the first time we have anything labelled with the Olympic rings.

"The entire continent will be celebrating with Dakar hosting."

Dakar was chosen as host city in October 2018 and the Games, initially planned for 2022, were postponed until this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing more time for planning.

It will be held at venues across the Senegalese capital, as well as in the towns of Diamniadio and Saly.

Thierno Cisse, deputy chief operating officer of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Games, says preparations are firmly on track - and that the entire country is aware of the responsibility which comes with being Africa's first Olympic host.

📰 Source: BBC Africa