Dakar Is Africa’s First Youth Olympic Host. Here Are the 7 Countries That Came Before
From Singapore in 2010 to South Korea in 2024, here's a list of the seven countries that hosted the Youth Olympic Games before Dakar made history as Africa's first Olympic host in 2026.
Young athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees, joined by the first-ever Youth Refugee Olympic Team, have been arriving in Senegal since last week for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The event is making history as the first Olympic sporting event ever held on African soil.
Running from October 31 to November 13, 2026, the competition marks a significant moment for Senegal and the wider continent, which has waited decades to host an event of this scale under the Olympic Movement.
Before the spotlight turned to Dakar, however, seven countries had hosted the Youth Olympic Games since the competition began in 2010. From Singapore to South Korea, each edition brought together young athletes, celebrated sporting talent and expanded the reach of the Olympic spirit.
How the Youth Olympic Games Began
The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) were established by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2007, following an initiative by its then-president, Jacques Rogge.
The idea was to create an international sporting event for young athletes while introducing them to the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.
Unlike the traditional Olympic Games, the Youth Olympics combine sporting competition with educational and cultural activities designed to help young participants develop beyond the field of play. The Games are open to athletes aged 15 to 18, with the specific age eligibility determined by each sport.
The first Summer edition took place in Singapore in 2010, while the first Winter edition followed in Innsbruck, Austria, in 2012. Since then, the Summer and Winter editions have alternated every two years, bringing the event to different parts of the world.
The Seven Countries That Hosted Before Dakar
1. Singapore, 2010: Singapore made history by hosting the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games in August 2010, bringing together young athletes from around the world for the first edition.
2. Austria, 2012: The city of Innsbruck hosted the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in January 2012, introducing winter sports to the competition.
3. China, 2014: Nanjing became the host of the second Summer edition, continuing the event's growth and international reach.
4. Norway, 2016: Lillehammer welcomed the second Winter edition, returning the competition to a country with a strong history in winter sports.
5. Argentina, 2018: Buenos Aires hosted the third Summer Youth Olympic Games, attracting thousands of athletes and achieving gender equality in participation for the first time.
6. Switzerland, 2020: Lausanne hosted the third Winter edition, bringing the competition to the home of the International Olympic Committee.
7. South Korea, 2024: Gangwon hosted the fourth Winter Youth Olympic Games, welcoming young athletes for the latest Winter edition before Dakar.
The 2022 Summer edition, initially scheduled for Dakar, was postponed to 2026 following an agreement between Senegal and the IOC amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This made Dakar the fourth host of the Summer Youth Olympic Games and the first African country to host an Olympic sporting event.
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Dakar and a New Chapter for African Sport
Dakar's hosting of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games represents more than another addition to the event's history. It is an opportunity for Africa to take its place on the Olympic stage, showcasing its sporting talent, culture and capacity to organise major international competitions.
With competitions taking place across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, the Games bring together approximately 2,700 young athletes from around the world.
Beyond the medals, the event offers an opportunity to inspire a new generation of African athletes and strengthen the continent's presence in international sport.
As the Games continue towards their scheduled conclusion on November 13, Dakar is not simply hosting another sporting competition. It is opening a new chapter in Olympic history, one that places Africa at the centre of a global celebration of youth, talent and sporting possibility.