In Dakar, 100 women will march for the arrival of the Youth Olympic Games flame 2026

One hundred Senegalese women will participate in the “March of the Linguères” on Saturday, September 12, during the arrival of the flame for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar. The procession will lead to the Place du Souvenir Africain, where a cauldron will be lit.

Organizers present the initiative as a significant moment of inclusion and intergenerational transmission. It places women at the heart of a ceremony that will blend sport, Senegalese culture, and youth mobilization, just weeks before the first Olympic event held on the African continent.

The choice of the term “lingère” adds a cultural dimension to the event. In Senegalese history, this title referred to women of royal status in several ancient Wolof and Serer kingdoms, particularly the mothers, sisters, or close relatives of the rulers.

The flame was lit on Thursday, September 10, at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. The International Olympic Committee indicates that it is now en route to Senegal, following a ceremony that brought together Greek and Senegalese representatives.

After its reception in Dakar, the national tour is set to begin on September 14. It will traverse the 14 regions of Senegal over approximately thirty stages until the end of October, with sports, cultural, and educational activities planned along the route.

The Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 will take place from October 31 to November 13. About 2,700 athletes aged 15 to 18 are expected to compete in 25 sports, primarily in Dakar and at other venues selected by the organizers.

The welcoming ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, at the Place du Souvenir Africain. The Corniche West will be closed to traffic between Rue D and the bridge of the Olympic Club complex from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm to facilitate the event.