IOC President Kirsty Coventry experiences the “incredible energy” of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Village
High-fives, selfies, games and plenty of smiles greeted International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry as she visited the Youth Olympic Village in Diamniadio on 29 October, just two days before the Opening Ceremony of Dakar 2026. Young athletes from around the world were enjoying the activities on offer, getting to know each other and soaking up the excitement ahead of the first Olympic sporting event to be held on African soil.
“We just left the Olympic Village and the athletes are so happy,” President Coventry told journalists at the opening press conference shortly afterwards. She recalled asking her team: “Can we just stay here with the athletes? They’re having so much fun.”
Describing the atmosphere as the “heartbeat of these Games”, she spoke of the joy of seeing young athletes “playing games, hanging out with each other, learning new things”.
President Coventry was accompanied throughout the visit by IOC Vice-Presidents Juan Antonio Samaranch and Nawal El Moutawakel, IOC Executive Board members Pau Gasol, Spyros Capralos and Jae Youl Kim, and Humphrey Kayange, Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Dakar 2026.
During the tour, she stopped at Worldwide Olympic Partner TCL’s display screen, where she met Naiming Yang, General Manager of TCL Middle East and Africa, and Hong Kong actor and martial artist Jacky Heung, TCL Ambassador. Heung, who is also taking part in the Dakar 2026 Flame Tour as a torchbearer, presented President Coventry with a TCL-branded nunchaku, a nod to his martial arts background..
She then visited the Samsung stand, where she shared a memorable moment with Senegalese and Korean athletes, posing together for Victory Selfie-style photos.
The IOC President also visited the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Services Building, gaining a closer look at the facilities supporting delegations during their stay at the Village.
Learning, sharing and connecting at Athlete365 House
The visit continued at Athlete365 House, where President Coventry explored the educational and interactive activities designed to help young athletes make the most of their Youth Olympic experience, both on and off the field of play.
She interacted with athletes and discovered initiatives dedicated to the Olympic Channel, safeguarding, clean sport and the prevention of competition manipulation. She also met Athlete Role Models, who are sharing their experiences and knowledge with the next generation of Olympians.
Taking part in the activities herself, President Coventry spun the Athlete365 Believe in Sport wheel, greeted IOC Young Leaders and added her own message to the athletes' wall. She also contributed to a communal artwork in the Village.
The exchanges highlighted the unique nature of the Youth Olympic Games, which offer young athletes not only an opportunity to compete on the international stage, but also to learn, build friendships and experience the Olympic values.
Reflecting on the visit, President Coventry described the atmosphere as the “heartbeat of these Games”, with athletes playing games, spending time together and learning new things.
Excitement builds ahead of historic Opening Ceremony
Following the Village visit, President Coventry attended the opening press conference of Dakar 2026, alongside Organising Committee President Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, General Coordinator Ibrahima Wade, IOC Coordination Commission Chair Humphrey Kayange and IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi.
“It’s here. It’s here. We’re finally here. We’re so happy,” President Coventry told the assembled media, expressing her pride and excitement at seeing years of preparations come to fruition.
She also praised the efforts of the Senegalese organisers and looked ahead to the Opening Ceremony on 31 October.
“The venues are really looking remarkable and I think the athletes are gonna be giving us incredible performances,” she said, adding that the Opening Ceremony rehearsals had looked “fabulous”.
For President Coventry, a double Olympic champion from Zimbabwe and the first African to lead the IOC, the Games hold particular significance.
Under the motto “Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates”, Dakar 2026 will bring together approximately 2,700 young athletes, with 204 National Olympic Committees represented alongside the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team at the Youth Olympic Games.
Taking place across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly until 13 November, the Games will provide a global stage for sporting excellence, friendship and cultural exchange, marking a new chapter for the Olympic Movement in Africa.