The flame for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) will travel through all 14 regions of Senegal from September 14 to October 30, 2026, as part of a national tour under the slogan “Pass
the Energy,” according to Olympics.com.
Lit in Athens, the birthplace of the Olympic movement, on September 10, the YOG flame will arrive in Dakar on September 12 before beginning its national tour two days later.
According to organizers, its route will include more than 30 stops, notably in Dakar, Rufisque, Guediawaye, and Pikine, as well as several other regions of the country, including Saint-Louis, Matam, Kolda, and Ziguinchor.
The flame will be carried successively by several hundred torchbearers throughout the various stages. Celebrations will be organised in the cities along the route, with sporting, cultural, and educational activities open to the public.
The program includes sports demonstrations and introductory sessions, workshops, activities, and
digital experiences. Schools will also play a significant role in the initiative.
The tour will be organized in two phases, with 14 stops in the Dakar region and 16 in other regions, according to the official Youth Olympic Games website. It will also showcase several sites and elements of Senegal’s cultural heritage.
The slogan “Pass the Energy” refers to the transmission of energy and Olympic values between generations. The passing of the flame from hand to hand will symbolise friendship, respect, and solidarity.
The tour will conclude on October 30, the day before the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, scheduled for October 31 at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio.
The flame will then be used to light the Olympic cauldron, which will remain lit throughout the Games, which run until November 13.
Dakar 2026 will be the first Olympic sporting event held on the African continent.
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