Dakar is making history. In 2026, Senegal will become the first African country to host an Olympic event, welcoming 2,700 young athletes from across the globe for the Youth Olympic Games.
The scale of this moment is hard to overstate. For decades, the African continent has sent its finest competitors to Olympic stages elsewhere. Now, the stage comes to Africa, and it lands in one of West Africa's most vibrant, culturally rich capitals.
With thousands of young athletes set to converge on Dakar, the city is poised to show the world exactly what African hospitality and sporting spirit look like on the biggest stage. The countdown has begun, and honestly, we cannot wait to see it unfold.
Originally published by BBC Africa.