“We Run for Africa”: A continent goes the distance for Dakar 2026
Young people across Africa have surpassed a shared goal to symbolically cover the continent’s perimeter in celebration of the Dakar 2026 Flame Tour, bringing the Olympic values and the spirit of the Games to communities far beyond Senegal.
Key facts
- “We Run for Africa” has surpassed its 30,500km target, with more than 43,000 symbolic kilometres recorded by more than 11,000 participants.
- A total of 30 African National Olympic Committees and over 20 Olympafrica centres brought communities together through sporting and educational activities.
- The House of Olympic Values will welcome thousands of young people during Dakar 2026, building on five years of Olympic Values Education Programme initiatives in Senegal.
“We Run for Africa” set out to engage young people all over the continent with the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) through a shared challenge: to cover 30,500 symbolic kilometres, roughly equivalent to the perimeter of Africa, through sporting and educational activities. That target was not only met but surpassed, with thousands of young people from Algeria to Zimbabwe contributing more than 43,000km during a continent-wide celebration.
Part of the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) and supported by Olympic Solidarity, the initiative invited children aged 6 to 16 to celebrate the Youth Olympic flame’s arrival in Senegal on 12 September through sporting and creative activities. Each activity contributed a set number of symbolic kilometres towards the collective target, while introducing participants to the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.
“Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates”
While the Flame Tour visited all 14 regions of Senegal, “We Run for Africa” helped spread celebrations across the continent. With the support of Olympic Solidarity, all African National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and Olympafrica centres were invited to organise events, on or around 12 September, using the “We Run for Africa” toolkit. Each event gave children different ways to contribute to the shared challenge, from running and walking to creative workshops, planting seeds and African dance.
Since the Youth Olympic flame arrived on African soil, more than 11,000 participants have taken part in events organised by 30 African NOCs and over 20 Olympafrica centres. By bringing together children, educators and local communities across all corners of the continent, the initiative embodied the Dakar 2026 motto, “Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates”.
The journey continues
The Flame Tour draws to a close on 30 October, but Dakar 2026’s educational journey will continue throughout the Games. La Case des Valeurs Olympiques (The House of Olympic Values) will host thousands of young people during the YOG in a vibrant space designed for learning, dialogue and innovation.
From 1 to 13 November, the educational hub will welcome more than 1,500 young African students and educators to interactive morning sessions with special guests, exploring social issues through sport, the Olympic values and Dakar 2026’s legacy. Afternoons will feature the semi-finals and finals of Le Génie Olympique, a school competition on Olympism bringing together more than 1,200 local students.
The programme at the House marks the culmination of five years of OVEP activities in Senegal, including training engaging more than a million young peopleengaging more than a million young people with the values of Olympism through the Civic and Sports Olympic Certification.
About the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP)
OVEP consists of a series of easily accessible teaching resources that complement school curricula using the context of Olympic sports and the Fundamental Principles of Olympism. Made available by the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage, these resources help NOCs implement values-based education initiatives by reducing financial barriers to delivery. OVEP promotes the long-term benefits of sport and physical activity, while fostering an understanding of the Olympic values and their positive impact on individual well-being, enjoyment and social interaction.
About Olympic Solidarity
The mission of Olympic Solidarity is to provide assistance to NOCs, in particular those with the greatest need, through a set of multi-faceted programmes designed to help them develop their athletes and athletes’ entourages, while also encouraging the promotion of the Olympic principles and values.