On Saturday, 31 October the Olympic rings will be raised for an event hosted on African soil for the first time as Senegal stages the Youth Olympic Games.
The cities of Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly will host 15 days of competition running until 13 November.
About 2,700 athletes are set to compete across 25 sports, with 153 medal events.
There will also be 10 engagement sports held without medals awarded.
Organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the event is an elite multi-sport competition for athletes predominantly aged from 15 to 17.
The aim is not only to inspire young people, but also to promote Olympic values and encourage them to see sport as a vehicle for peace and solidarity.
First held in Singapore in 2010, the Youth Olympics contain several elements of the senior Games but add newer sports, mixed-gender events and cultural activities.
Nanjing, China, staged the second edition in 2014 and Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires was the venue four years later.
Dakar was due to host in 2022 before the Covid-19 pandemic forced its postponement.
Since its inception, several participants have gone on to top the podium at the Olympic Games.
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