News by Levels · Level 3 · Student worksheet

Dakar Youth Olympics Mark an African First

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Read the story

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games officially opened in Senegal on October 31, marking the first Olympic sporting event staged in Africa. The youth competition is distinct from the main Summer Olympic Games.

The opening celebration took place at a stadium in Diamniadio, near Dakar. The International Olympic Committee expects approximately 2,650 young athletes to take part, with the programme due to finish on November 13.

Senegal was initially selected to host the event in 2022, but the IOC and Senegal agreed to move it to 2026 amid the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: International Olympic Committee, 2026-10-31. https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/dakar-2026-youth-olympic-games-open-in-historic-first-for-africa

Read and practise

1. What African first does the opening mark?

   1. The first Olympic sporting event staged on the continent
   2. The first main Summer Olympics held in Africa
   3. The first international sporting event in Senegal

2. What is the status of the November 13 finish?

   1. It is the scheduled end of the programme
   2. It was the date of the opening ceremony
   3. It is a confirmed result after all events finished

3. How did the original hosting plan change?

   1. The IOC and Senegal moved the event from 2022 to 2026
   2. The IOC moved the 2026 event back to 2022
   3. Senegal cancelled the event without a new date

Your turn

Explain where the opening was held and how certain the participant figure was at the time of reporting.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/dakar-youth-olympics-opening-africa-october-2026/level-3/