INTERNATIONAL Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry has described the Yout Olympic Games held in Senegal as ‘magical’.
The Games, which were the first-ever Olympic event held in Africa, closed with an intimate send-off in the Athlete’s Village on Thursday before a public concert wrapped the fortnight.
“It really has been a magnificent journey,” IOC Coventry said at the final Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games press conference.
“And we’re so, so proud. I am so proud, I’m so grateful.”
“We’ve spent time in Dakar, we spent time here in Diamniadio, we’ve spent time in Saly, and it’s just really been extremely magical,” Coventry continued.
“I got asked the other day what my favourite venue or favourite place [was], and I can’t pick, it’s all of it. And now I’m going to consider myself full Senegalese and I can’t wait to come back on holiday and have a rest with you.”
Twice an Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer for Zimbabwe, Coventry is the most decorated Olympian from Africa and the first from the continent to lead the IOC.
On Thursday, she lauded the athletes from her home continent on their performances.
“I’m very proud to see so many African countries in the top 10,” she said.
“Nearly every African country that has competed has made a final or won a medal, and that is extraordinary.
“It’s really wonderful to see it for so many different reasons, and not just because the athletes have come to Senegal and performed.
“It’s also shown the importance that as a continent our leaders are placing on sport, the support that their governments and their national Olympic committees have given to these athletes to come to Senegal to be able to achieve.”
Coventry is excited to see that investment pay dividends down the road as the LA28 and Brisbane 2032 Games approach.
“It shows really the calibre of athletes that we have across our continent and hopefully they feel very inspired to continue in their sports,” Coventry said, “and I hope that we’ll see a number of our athletes in LA and in Brisbane and in future Games.” — Zimpapers Sports Hub/olympics.com.
