Dakar 2026 Torch Relay Begins as Kenya Releases 53 Student-Athletes

The flame for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games began its historic journey at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens on September 10, while Kenya has released 53 student-athletes to prepare for Africa’s first-ever Olympic event.

Flame Begins Historic Journey

The torch relay started at the Panathenaic Stadium, the marble arena that hosted the first modern Olympic Games, in a ceremony attended by International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry.

From Athens, the flame will travel to Senegal and ultimately reach Dakar for the opening ceremony. The Youth Olympic Games will run from October 31 to November 13, 2026, with around 2,700 young athletes expected to compete across multiple sports.

Kenya Backs Its Young Stars

Kenya’s Ministry of Education authorized the release of 53 student-athletes from schools across the country in an official letter dated October 8, 2026, following a request from the National Olympic Committee of Kenya.

The young athletes will attend an intensive training camp at Kasarani International Stadium from October 15 to November 13. The Olympic committee will cover all expenses, including travel and accommodation.

The ministry directed school heads to prioritize the safety and welfare of the learners, instructing that chaperones of the appropriate gender must accompany students whenever they are outside school for scheduled activities.

A Milestone for Africa

Dakar 2026 will be the first Olympic event ever staged on African soil, making it a landmark moment for sport across the continent. For Kenya’s young athletes, it represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete on home continent soil.

The Significance of the Flame

The Panathenaic Stadium is the most symbolic venue in Olympic history. Built entirely of marble, it hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, and every Olympic flame begins its journey on Greek soil before traveling to the host nation.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry’s presence at the ceremony underlined the historic importance of Dakar 2026. As the first Olympic event on African soil, these Games represent the Olympic movement finally embracing an entire continent that has waited more than a century for its moment.

For Kenya’s 53 student-athletes, the Kasarani camp represents the opportunity of a lifetime. Many come from humble backgrounds, and the chance to represent their country at a home-continent Games could change their lives forever. The NOCK’s decision to cover all costs ensures that talent, not wealth, determines who gets to compete.

The counties involved span the country, from Nairobi and Mombasa to Kisumu, Nakuru and Kakamega, reflecting the nationwide reach of Kenya’s youth sports programs.