Youth Olympic Games 2026: Dakar 2026 begins with spectacular opening ceremony

Performers forming the shape of the Olympic rings during the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on 31 Oct. Photo: OIS/ Will Palmer

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) officially kicked off on 31 Oct with an enthralling opening ceremony that celebrated sport, youth and diversity.

Entertainers waving Senegal flags during the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Photo: OIS/ Will Palmer

At the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, athletes revelled in the joyous atmosphere as they marched out waving the flags of their respective nations, before enjoying the rest of the evening.

Youth Olympic Games flagbearers marching out during the parade of flags at the Dakar 2026 opening ceremony. Photo: OIS/ Will Palmer

Singapore’s flagbearers were table tennis player Loy Ming Ying, 16, and 17-year-old shuttler Zack Ng.

Ng said of the experience: “There were many emotions. Before marching out as flagbearer, I was a bit nervous and excited. Then after walking out, I was feeling proud and happy.”

Paddler Loy Ming Ying and shuttler Zack Ng at the Dakar 2026 opening ceremony on 31 Oct. Photo: Courtesy of Loy Ming Ying

For both athletes, a key highlight of being at the YOG has been exchanging pins with their international counterparts – a quintessential major Games experience.

Loy, who appreciated the “hyped” atmosphere in the stadium as she marched out, estimates that she exchanged 30 pins at the opening ceremony. Fellow flagbearer Ng, who exchanged 31 pins, rated these interactions as “most enjoyable”, adding: “Of course, there were language barriers but I managed to communicate with (the foreign athletes) through their friends or sign language.”

Singapore flagbearers Loy Ming Ying and Zack Ng enjoyed swapping pins with fellow athletes from other countries at the Dakar 2026 opening ceremony on 31 Oct. Photo: Courtesy of Zack Ng

More than 1,100 participants delivered performances that illustrated the cultural richness of the continent.

One of the performances at the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on 31 Oct. Photo: OIS/ Kieran Cleeves

Traditional dances, rousing percussion routines and wrestling themes were among the highlights as key elements of Senegal’s identity. Other acts included soulful vocal performances and upbeat hip-hop numbers, watched by an audience that included president of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye and International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry. Local craftsmanship was also on display, with the performers’ costumes all made in Senegal.

The Dakar 2026 opening ceremony featured music performances including lively percussion acts and dance routines. Photo: OIS/ Kieran Cleeves

Judoka Aicha Diop and fencer Abdourahmane Marieme Sy were the final torchbearers, lighting the cauldron to signal the official start of the Games.

Judoka Aicha Diop and fencer Abdourahmane Marieme Sy lighting the cauldron at the Dakar 2026 opening ceremony. Photo: OIS/ Hassan Wamwayi

Africa is hosting an Olympic sporting event for the first time, and Dakar 2026 will see over 2,600 athletes aged 14 to 17 competing in 25 sports, including a Refugee Youth Olympic team – a first at the YOG.

Wushu exponent Ng Zhe Nin at the Dakar 2026 opening ceremony. The 16-year-old begins her campaign on 1 Nov in the women's taijiquan combined preliminary round taijishan. Photo: OIS/ Kieran Cleeves

Singapore will be represented by 14 athletes in archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, fencing, gymnastics, sailing, table tennis and wushu. The Republic’s Dakar 2026 campaign kicks off on 1 Nov with paddler Loy and wushu exponent Ng Zhe Nin in action.

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games takes place from 31 October to 13 November 2026. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.