Senegal Celebrates Arrival of Olympic Flame Ahead of Historic Youth Games

The Olympic flame has officially touched down in Dakar, Senegal, heralding the upcoming Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympic event to take place on the African continent. On Saturday, a vibrant ceremony filled with music and dance welcomed the flame in a celebration of Senegalese culture and heritage.

Hundreds gathered at the Place du Souvenir Africain, a picturesque plaza overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, to witness the procession. A group of 100 women, known as 'lingeer'—a term signifying queens or royal women in the local Wolof language—carried the flame into the plaza. Dressed in flowing orange and golden attire adorned with yellow headwraps, these women showcased the beauty and strength of Senegalese women while emphasizing the importance of passing down cultural values through generations.

At the ceremony, Senegalese basketball icon Mame Maty Mbengue ignited the Olympic cauldron, marking a significant moment in the event. Kirsty Coventry, the head of the International Olympic Committee and hailing from Zimbabwe, expressed her pride in the event, stating, 'Everyone that comes to Senegal in a few weeks is going to leave it knowing that Africa and Senegal are capable and unstoppable.' Coventry's words resonated with the attendees, highlighting the potential of the continent’s youth.

The Olympic flame journey began in Athens, Greece, where it was ignited using sunlight and a parabolic mirror, in accordance with Olympic tradition. Following its arrival in Senegal, the flame will embark on a 3,600-kilometer journey, passing through all 14 regions of the country with over 400 torchbearers. The Youth Olympic Games are set to kick off from October 31 to November 13, gathering approximately 2,700 young athletes competing in 35 sports across Dakar and its neighboring cities, Diamniadio and Saly.

Source: www.independent.co.uk