Senegal will host the 2022 Youth Olympic Games, the first African country to be given the nod.
According to the evaluation commission and the executive board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Senegal presented a visionary, ambitious and technically sound YOG proposal.
Thomas Bach, IOC president, said: “Africa is united behind Senegal to host the Youth Olympic Games 2022. With a young population and a passion for sport, it is time for Africa, it is time for Senegal.”
Macky Sall, Senegal President, commented on IOC’s decision, saying: “Senegal and its young people are proud of the honour you have bestowed upon us, in entrusting the organisation of the Youth Olympic Games 2022 to our country.
“In fact, it is the whole of Africa, the birthplace of humankind through its history and the youngest continent through its demographics, which will welcome the young athletes of the world in 2022.”
Sall said his government will build a 50,000-seat Olympic Stadium. Senegal will host the games in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
The IOC said the games will be held in May or June, at the end of the dry season to “greatly reduce the prevalence of tropical diseases”.
The other bidders were Botswana, Nigeria and Tunisia.
