Coventry: IOC still assessing future of Youth Olympic Games-Xinhua - 新华网

DAKAR, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The International Olympic Committee is continuing to assess the future of the Youth Olympic Games and will use data from Dakar 2026 to inform its review, IOC President Kirsty Coventry said Thursday.

"We have to be very realistic as to what we want the Youth Olympic Games to be," Coventry told a closing press conference in Diamniadio, Senegal.

Coventry said the IOC was examining how best to engage young people through the Olympic Movement, but had not set a timetable for a decision.

She highlighted the importance of the social and cultural experiences offered by the Games, saying several athletes had identified the Youth Olympic Village as their favorite part of Dakar 2026.

"They loved the competition, but they really enjoyed coming together, eating together, living together, learning about each other," she said.

The IOC Executive Board decided on May 7 to pause the host election process for the 2030 Summer Youth Olympic Games while it reassesses the event's core objectives.

The next Winter Youth Olympic Games are scheduled for 2028 in Italy's Dolomites and Valtellina regions.

Coventry also praised Senegal's organization of the Games across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, highlighting the performances of African athletes, many of whom reached finals or won medals.

She said their achievements reflected the support provided by their governments and National Olympic Committees.

According to organizing committee general coordinator Ibrahima Wade, 5,647 volunteers had helped deliver the Games as of Thursday.

Dakar 2026, the first Olympic event held in Africa, opened on October 31 and concludes Friday with a closing ceremony at the Youth Olympic Village. ■