The mascot Ayo, a young lion representing the energy, pride, and joy of African youth is seen in dakar on october 23, 2026 ahead of the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games. Until November 13, some 2,700 athletes aged 17 and under are expected to take part in 25 sports contested across three cities in Senegal, under the glare of the global sporting spotlight: Dakar, Diamniadio (about thirty kilometers from Dakar) and Saly (around 80 kilometers from the capital), on the coast. Track and field, beach wrestling, skateboarding, basketball, rugby sevens, breaking, cycling, fencing, coastal rowing, beach volleyball, etc.: the competitions will be held across eight venues. In total, 136 Senegalese athletes will take part in the event. However, the fourth edition of these Youth Olympic Games is opening in a Senegal that is heavily indebted and weighed down by a severe economic crisis. (Photo by SEYLLOU / AFP via Getty Images)

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 25: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid celebrates after the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on October 25, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 25: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid, reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on October 25, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Residents walk past an illuminated dispaly for the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games on october 22, 2026. Until November 13, some 2,700 athletes aged 17 and under are expected to take part in 25 sports contested across three cities in Senegal, under the glare of the global sporting spotlight: Dakar, Diamniadio (about thirty kilometers from Dakar) and Saly (around 80 kilometers from the capital), on the coast. Track and field, beach wrestling, skateboarding, basketball, rugby sevens, breaking, cycling, fencing, coastal rowing, beach volleyball, etc.: the competitions will be held across eight venues. In total, 136 Senegalese athletes will take part in the event. However, the fourth edition of these Youth Olympic Games is opening in a Senegal that is heavily indebted and weighed down by a severe economic crisis. (Photo by SEYLLOU / AFP via Getty Images)

General views of an illuminated dispaly for the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games on october 22, 2026. Until November 13, some 2,700 athletes aged 17 and under are expected to take part in 25 sports contested across three cities in Senegal, under the glare of the global sporting spotlight: Dakar, Diamniadio (about thirty kilometers from Dakar) and Saly (around 80 kilometers from the capital), on the coast. Track and field, beach wrestling, skateboarding, basketball, rugby sevens, breaking, cycling, fencing, coastal rowing, beach volleyball, etc.: the competitions will be held across eight venues. In total, 136 Senegalese athletes will take part in the event. However, the fourth edition of these Youth Olympic Games is opening in a Senegal that is heavily indebted and weighed down by a severe economic crisis. (Photo by SEYLLOU / AFP via Getty Images)

The mascot Ayo, a young lion representing the energy, pride, and joy of African youth is seen in dakar on october 22, 2026 ahead of the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games. Until November 13, some 2,700 athletes aged 17 and under are expected to take part in 25 sports contested across three cities in Senegal, under the glare of the global sporting spotlight: Dakar, Diamniadio (about thirty kilometers from Dakar) and Saly (around 80 kilometers from the capital), on the coast. Track and field, beach wrestling, skateboarding, basketball, rugby sevens, breaking, cycling, fencing, coastal rowing, beach volleyball, etc.: the competitions will be held across eight venues. In total, 136 Senegalese athletes will take part in the event. However, the fourth edition of these Youth Olympic Games is opening in a Senegal that is heavily indebted and weighed down by a severe economic crisis. (Photo by SEYLLOU / AFP via Getty Images)

The mascot Ayo, a young lion representing the energy, pride, and joy of African youth is seen in dakar on october 22, 2026 ahead of the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games. Until November 13, some 2,700 athletes aged 17 and under are expected to take part in 25 sports contested across three cities in Senegal, under the glare of the global sporting spotlight: Dakar, Diamniadio (about thirty kilometers from Dakar) and Saly (around 80 kilometers from the capital), on the coast. Track and field, beach wrestling, skateboarding, basketball, rugby sevens, breaking, cycling, fencing, coastal rowing, beach volleyball, etc.: the competitions will be held across eight venues. In total, 136 Senegalese athletes will take part in the event. However, the fourth edition of these Youth Olympic Games is opening in a Senegal that is heavily indebted and weighed down by a severe economic crisis. (Photo by SEYLLOU / AFP via Getty Images)

The mascot Ayo, a young lion representing the energy, pride, and joy of African youth is seen in dakar on october 23, 2026 ahead of the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games. Until November 13, some 2,700 athletes aged 17 and under are expected to take part in 25 sports contested across three cities in Senegal, under the glare of the global sporting spotlight: Dakar, Diamniadio (about thirty kilometers from Dakar) and Saly (around 80 kilometers from the capital), on the coast. Track and field, beach wrestling, skateboarding, basketball, rugby sevens, breaking, cycling, fencing, coastal rowing, beach volleyball, etc.: the competitions will be held across eight venues. In total, 136 Senegalese athletes will take part in the event. However, the fourth edition of these Youth Olympic Games is opening in a Senegal that is heavily indebted and weighed down by a severe economic crisis. (Photo by SEYLLOU / AFP via Getty Images)