The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) ended on Friday in Senegal, with organisers hailing Africa’s first Olympic event as further proof of the continent’s ability to host major international competitions.
For Zimbabwe, the major highlight was the Ropafadzo Mzondo gold medal in the 200m final.
The 16-year-old’s achievement will forever be a huge highlight in Zimbabwe’s sporting archives and a moment of pride for International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry.
Nearly 2 700 athletes aged 14 to 17 competed across 25 sports and 153 medal events over two weeks in the capital Dakar, nearby Diamniadio and the beach town of Saly.
A closing ceremony for athletes and delegations took place on Friday evening at the Games village in Diamniadio, with the extinguishing of the flame.
“I think that everyone came here with certain expectations and I think those expectations have been far exceeded,” said Coventry, a former Zimbabwean swimmer.
Regarding Africa’s ability to host the Games, Coventry said: “I think we’ve shown the world the capability that we have and now we need to choose to take that forward.”
Throughout the competitions, crowds roared whenever Senegalese or other African athletes scored or won.
China finished with the most gold medals, 18, followed by Japan with 11 and Russia with eight. Three African countries came next: Egypt with six, and Ethiopia and Senegal with five each. Beach wrestling’s Olympic debut brought particular pride to Senegal where wrestling is a national sport and its stars command huge followings.
Female wrestler Elisabeth Diatta (16) won Senegal’s first Olympic gold. Her compatriots won two more wrestling golds.
Other Olympic debuts included baseball5, a simplified version of baseball and the Chinese martial art wushu.
Russia’s athletes competed under their national flag for the first time at an Olympic event since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 led to its suspension.
A refugee team competed at the Youth Olympics for the first time, with six athletes based in Kenya and Uganda, competing in athletics, judo and taekwondo.
The Games came as African countries increasingly see sports as a tool for diplomacy and development, analysts say.
South Africa, which staged the men’s soccer World Cup in 2010, is among countries in talks with the IOC about hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.
Meawhile, after winning Zimbabwe’s first-ever Youth Olympic Games medal with gold, Mzondo received a hero’s welcome on his return to the country’s international airport on Thursday.
“I’m very excited to have this reception,” he said. “It’s exciting to have all these people come here just to welcome me back home. It makes me very proud to be able to represent my country.”
Accompanied by his father, Liberty, and coaching staff, the 16-year-old was greeted by friends and family.
“I would like to thank my teammates and our big bosses for being there for us and cheering us on,” he continued.
“Without them, I don’t think I would have been able to bring out the medal. And I would also like to thank my coach, my parents, my school and everyone else who’s been supporting me.”
In the first Olympic sporting event to be held on the African continent, his gold has been part of the highest-ever total of YOG medals from African athletes. — Olympics.com
