Dakar 2026 flame starts historic journey from Athens

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games moved into their public countdown on September 10, when the Olympic flame was lit in Athens. The ceremony launched the flame’s journey to Senegal and the first Olympic event to be staged on African soil.

The ceremony took place at Athens’ Panathenaic Stadium in the presence of Senegal’s Youth and Sports Minister Djirèye Clotilde Coly, International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry and Dakar 2026 organising committee president Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye. The flame is due to reach Senegal on September 11, with its first official appearance scheduled for September 12 at the Place du Souvenir africain in Dakar.

A national relay will begin in Dakar-Plateau on September 14, with about 450 torchbearers taking part. The route will cover the Dakar region until September 27 before visiting Senegal’s other 13 regions from September 29 to October 24. The flame will return to Dakar from October 28 to 30, ahead of the opening ceremony on October 31 at the Place de la Nation, where the cauldron will be lit.

Dakar 2026 will bring nearly 2,700 young athletes from around the world together in more than 20 sports. Competition and associated celebrations will continue for two weeks, with the flame scheduled to remain alight until November 13.