The mascot Ayo, a young lion representing the energy, pride, and joy of African youth is seen in dakar on october 23, 2026 ahead of the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games. Until November 13, some 2,700 athletes aged 17 and under are expected to take part in 25 sports contested across three cities in Senegal, under the glare of the global sporting spotlight: Dakar, Diamniadio (about thirty kilometers from Dakar) and Saly (around 80 kilometers from the capital), on the coast. Track and field, beach wrestling, skateboarding, basketball, rugby sevens, breaking, cycling, fencing, coastal rowing, beach volleyball, etc.: the competitions will be held across eight venues. In total, 136 Senegalese athletes will take part in the event. However, the fourth edition of these Youth Olympic Games is opening in a Senegal that is heavily indebted and weighed down by a severe economic crisis. (Photo by SEYLLOU / AFP via Getty Images)