Fatma Samoura Joins Final Olympic Flame Relay as Dakar Welcomes Historic Youth Games

Posted : 02 November 2026

Former FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura joined the final procession of Olympic Flame bearers in Dakar ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Her participation added another prominent African figure to the celebrations marking the first Olympic sporting event to take place on African soil.

Samoura took part in the final stage of the relay alongside Senegalese social media personality Khaby Lame, French actor Omar Sy, wrestling champion Modou Lô and other personalities from sports, entertainment and public life.

The procession brought together athletes, artists and residents in a celebration of African culture, sporting achievement and the continent's younger generation.

The Olympic Flame began its journey in Athens before travelling across Senegal for 47 days. It covered more than 3,650 kilometres, passing through all 14 regions of the country before returning to Dakar.

The nationwide relay included stops in Thiès, Saint-Louis, Matam, Kaolack, Tambacounda, Kédougou, Kolda and Ziguinchor. Approximately 450 torchbearers participated across more than 30 stages, with sporting, cultural and educational activities organised along the route.

A Historic First for African Sport

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games represent a major milestone for African sport. Senegal has become the first African country to host an Olympic sporting event, bringing the continent into a new chapter of the Olympic movement.

According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), approximately 2,700 young athletes from more than 200 National Olympic Committees and the Refugee Olympic Team are participating in the competition.

The Games feature 25 competitive sports and 10 engagement sports, with 153 medal events scheduled across venues in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly. The competition runs from October 31 to November 13, 2026.

The event also places particular emphasis on gender equality, with equal athlete quota places for male and female competitors.

Samoura's Contribution to Global Football

Samoura's participation in the relay reflects her longstanding involvement in international sports administration and development.

The Senegalese administrator spent more than two decades working with the United Nations before making history in 2016 as the first woman and first African appointed FIFA Secretary General.

She held the position until 2023, overseeing the organisation's administration during several major international competitions, including the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.

During her tenure, she also supported initiatives focused on football development, women's football and improvements in the administration of the global game.

Reflecting on her participation in the Olympic Flame procession, Samoura said: "To carry the flame is to carry a dream, and to pass it on is to pass on its energy."

Dakar 2026 Officially Opens

The final Flame procession preceded the official opening ceremony on October 31 at the Stade Abdoulaye Wade in Diamniadio.

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and IOC President Kirsty Coventry attended the ceremony alongside Dakar 2026 Organising Committee President Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye and other international sporting representatives.

The ceremony officially launched an event that places Africa at the centre of the Olympic movement for the first time.

For Senegal, the Games provide an opportunity to showcase its sporting infrastructure, cultural heritage and organisational capabilities. They also offer young African athletes a global platform to compete, develop and represent their countries.

Fatma Samoura Joins Final Olympic Flame Relay as Dakar Welcomes Historic Youth Games

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics