The 2026 Youth Olympic Flame has arrived in Dakar and is about to begin its 46-day tour across Senegal’s 14 regions as it brings together young people, athletes, cultural figures and communities in celebration of the first-ever Olympic event held on the African continent.
The Flame is being presented around Diamniadio on Sunday (13 September) before travelling through the Dakar region for two weeks from 14 to 27 September, before going further into the country, with the biggest celebrations planned in Thiès, Louga, Saint-Louis, Matam, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kaffrine, Tambacounda, Kedougou, Kolda, Sedhiou, Ziguinchor, Saly, and Rufisque, between 29 September and 24 October.
The last three days before the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will see the Flame return to the capital region until it is carried to the Stade Abdoulaye Wade in Diamniadio and lit at the Opening Ceremony on 31 October.
The Flame will remain lit for the duration of the Youth Olympics, which take place from 31 October to 13 November.
Discover all the key stops, dates and activities along the route below.
- Youth Olympic flame returns to Dakar ahead of historic Dakar 2026
- Everything you need to know about the Dakar 2026 YOG flame tour
Youth Olympic Flame’s arrival on the African continent
Traditional Senegalese drumbeats and dances accompanied the Flame when it arrived in Dakar on Saturday (12 September).
A procession of 100 Linguères, female figures who embody the spirit of the country of Teranga, carried the Flame to the celebration cauldron at Place du Souvenir.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kristy Coventry was among those on stage as the cauldron was lit, marking the beginning of the Torch Relay.
“The goal is that it won’t just impact the youngsters coming here, but when they go home, they’ll talk about the values and the inspiration of the Games that is created within them,” President Coventry said.
“Here in Senegal, being able to feel it, the flame is going to go on a magnificent tour all around the country, and people are going to be asking what it is and inquiring and finding out that Senegal is going to be the host of the first-ever Olympic event in Africa.”
read more: https://www.olympics.com/en/dakar-2026/news/dakar-2026-flame-tour-begins-all-dates-stops-route
