Olympic Flame to Be Lit on Thursday ahead of the Historic Dakar 2026 Youth Games

The Olympic flame for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will be lit and formally handed over at Athens’ historic Panathenaic Stadium on Thursday, marking the beginning of its journey to Senegal.

The ceremony, scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m., will bring together Olympic officials and spectators as the flame is launched on its symbolic journey from Greece to Africa for the first Youth Olympic Games to be held on the continent.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President and former Zimbabwean sports minister  Kirsty Coventry is expected to attend the ceremony.

The public will be allowed to attend the event free of charge.The ceremony will also be broadcast live by Greece’s public broadcaster, ERT.

A historic link between Greece and Africa

The Panathenaic Stadium, also known as the Kallimarmaro, holds a special place in Olympic history. The ancient marble stadium has long served as a bridge between the traditions of the ancient Games and the modern Olympic movement.

The Dakar 2026 ceremony carries additional significance because it comes as restoration work is being carried out at the stadium, including the replacement of its track surface and cleaning of its marble structures.

Unlike the traditional Olympic Games, the Youth Olympic Games follow a protocol in which the lighting and handover of the Olympic flame take place during the same ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium.

The ceremony will feature a specially choreographed performance by ceremonial priestesses under the artistic direction of Artemis Ignatiou. Actress Katerina Misichroni will make her debut as High Priestess.

Music for the event has been composed by Marios Joannou Elia, while the priestesses’ costumes were designed by internationally acclaimed Greek fashion designer Mary Katrantzou.

Sports journalist Penelope Gkioni will host the

ceremony, reflecting the Youth Olympic Games' focus on young people and a new generation of athletes, journalists and sports professionals.

Following the ceremony, the Olympic flame will begin its journey towards Senegal, it will arrive on 12 September  in Dakar which will host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, bringing the Olympic movement to Africa in a historic first.