Senegal's capital, Dakar, is hosting the fourth Youth Olympic Games. Radio Okapi reported that the Games opened on October 31 and run until November 13. It is the first time an Olympic event has been held on the African continent.
The opening ceremony was set for the Abdoulaye Wade stadium in Diamniadio, in the Dakar region. Organisers expect 2,700 young athletes: 1,350 girls and 1,350 boys. According to Radio Okapi, it is the first edition with full gender parity among participants. Medals will also be shared equally between girls and boys.
Athletes will compete in 25 disciplines. They include athletics, 3×3 basketball, futsal, swimming, judo and taekwondo.
DR Congo has sent nine young athletes across eight disciplines, Radio Okapi reported. Named athletes include Chadrack Vungu in athletics and Stephy Tsimba in wrestling. Charly Maliabo competes in cycling and Obed Kilolo in taekwondo. Dieu-Bénie Bolaka is in judo, Jéhu Matonto in swimming and Mervie Yembele in fencing.