*Featured Image credit IOC
This past February, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) unanimously decided to award the 2022 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to the African continent.
From the 54 countries in Africa, the IOC considered four capable nations: Botswana, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia. Last week, on September 7, the IOC Executive Board decided to propose Senegal as the next YOG host. The IOC will make a formal proposition at the 2018 Games, this October in Buenos Aires, Argentina. If all goes well for Senegal, the nation will become the fourth country to host the Youth Games and first African country to host an Olympic event.
Senegal delivered a strong project that impressed the IOC. Its vision for youth and sports aligned with what the IOC hoped for: to use sports to protect and invest in young people.
“The candidature is centered on three locations: the capital city, Dakar; the new city of Diamniadio; and the coastal resort of Saly. Senegal’s project is tied in with the West African country’s overarching development strategy, notably the national government’s ‘Emerging Senegal’ plan, which envisions major economic and infrastructure improvements.”
Since joining the Olympics in 1964, Senegal has earned one silver medal. Amadou Dia Ba won that silver in the men’s 400 meters hurdles at the 1988 Seoul Games. The other sought after countries have pledged full support to Senegal. Once the endorsement and host contract has been signed, Senegal will work with the IOC to construct a detailed plan for 2022.
For the official Olympic press release click here