Sports · Other Sports · 10 hrs ago
Senegal’s Youth Olympics begin amid cost-of-living concerns
Senegal is hosting the first Olympic event held in Africa, the Youth Olympic Games, in Dakar and nearby cities.
About 2,700 athletes aged 14 to 17 are taking part, and the Games run through Nov.
13.
Officials say the event offers young people training and volunteering opportunities, but many residents are focused on rising living costs and limited work.
About 75% of Senegal’s population is under 35, youth unemployment is about 23%, and most employed people work in the informal sector.
The government has committed 36 billion CFA francs to the Games, including money to renovate sports venues, while some residents question whether the funds could have helped with pressing needs.
Preparations have also disrupted livelihoods: a Dakar shoemaker says he was evicted from his shop to make way for a stadium expansion.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has defended the Games’ economic benefits, and officials say international partners and the International Olympic Committee are helping fund them.
Senegal is hosting the Dakar Youth Olympics, the first Olympic event held in Africa.
About 2,700 athletes are competing in Dakar and nearby cities, with the Games running through Nov. 13.
The event is taking place as many Senegalese face rising living costs, unemployment and economic hardship.
Some residents say preparations have disrupted their livelihoods, while critics question whether public money should address more urgent needs.
The government has committed 36 billion CFA francs ($60 million) to organizing the Games, including 11.3 billion CFA francs ($19 million) for sports venue renovations.
- Who
- Senegal is hosting the Dakar Youth Olympics, with about 2,700 athletes competing.
- What
- The event is the first Olympic event held in Africa.
- When
- The Games began Saturday and run through Nov. 13.
- Where
- Dakar and nearby cities in Senegal.
- Why
- Officials say the Games offer young people opportunities through a learning academy and volunteer program. Critics say spending could have addressed rising living costs and other urgent needs.
Senegalese authorities and Olympic officials
Residents and critics
Purpose
Senegalese authorities and Olympic officials
The Games offer opportunities for young people through a learning academy and volunteer program.
Residents and critics
Many young people face more immediate concerns, including finding work and coping with rising living costs.
Spending
Senegalese authorities and Olympic officials
Officials point to infrastructure improvements, contracts for Senegalese companies and training for young people.
Residents and critics
Critics argue funds could have been better spent on pressing needs such as lowering living costs and boosting purchasing power.
Impact
Senegalese authorities and Olympic officials
Officials say the event can bring economic benefits to Senegal.
Residents and critics
Some residents say preparations have disrupted livelihoods, including the eviction of artisans in Dakar’s Medina neighborhood.
A student died during unrest over unpaid financial aid at Dakar’s Cheikh Anta Diop University.
Workers marched demanding better conditions and relief from living costs.
The government raised gasoline and diesel prices, saying it could no longer cover the full increase in global oil costs.
Authorities evicted shoemaker Mamadou Wadji to make way for a stadium expansion for the Games.
The Dakar Youth Olympics began.
- Athletes
- About 2,700
- Government Games commitment
- 36 billion CFA francs ($60 million)
- Sports venue renovations
- 11.3 billion CFA francs ($19 million)
- Youth unemployment
- About 23%
- Population younger than 35
- Around 75%
- Games end
- Nov. 13
3 sources
What people are saying
I’m not very enthusiastic because there are too many problems
We, the general population, and especially those of us in the informal sector, should have been the first to benefit from it, unfortunately that has not been the case
The prices are so high and the quality of life just isn’t there.