Saint-Louis shares Olympic values ahead of Dakar 2026

The passage of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games flame has brought the event’s message of peace, solidarity and fraternity to Saint-Louis, where city official Alioune Badara Diop said those principles are closely associated with the northern Senegalese city. The caravan arrived on Saturday as part of its journey through the country.

Diop, an adjoint du maire, linked Saint-Louis’s identity to the values of the Olympic movement and recalled the city’s importance in Senegalese sport. He also encouraged residents to attend Sunday’s flame-lighting ceremony at Place Baya Ndar, formerly known as Place Faidherbe.

Abdou Khadre Dieylani Ba, deputy prefect of Saint-Louis, expressed pride in the city’s reception of the flame. Speaking on behalf of the regional governor, he described Saint-Louis as a historic, cultural and sporting city and called on young people and residents to take ownership of the event to help ensure its success.

The flame caravan travelled through several neighbourhoods in Saint-Louis. Dakar 2026 will run from 31 October to 13 November, making Senegal the first African country to host the Youth Olympic Games.