A representative of Xi Jinping, as well as Gao Zhidan, Director of the General Administration of Sport of China, will participate in the opening ceremony of the fourth Youth Olympic Games. This will take place in Dakar, Senegal, on October 31.
This was learned on Friday from a representative of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who stated that the invitation was sent to the government of the Republic of Senegal.
The Iranian Minister of Sport and Youth, Ahmad Donjamali, arrived in Dakar as part of a three-day official visit. The purpose of the trip is to participate in the opening ceremony of the fourth Youth Olympic Games and to support Iranian athletes participating in the event.
Upon arrival at Blaise Diagne International Airport, Donjamali was met by the Senegalese Minister of Public Services, Labor, and Administrative Reform, Mamadou Lamine Diante, as well as the Iranian Ambassador to Senegal and Hamid Azizi, head of the Iranian delegation.
During his three-day stay, the Iranian sports minister intends to attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, as well as inspect the sports venues to observe the performances of Iranian athletes.
The fourth edition of the Youth Olympic Games will take place in Senegal from October 31 to November 13, 2026. This event marks the first time an Olympic sporting event has been held on the African continent.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, near Dakar, and will bring together young athletes and sports delegations from around the world. Donjamali's visit underscores Iran's commitment to supporting its young sporting talents and strengthening its presence in international youth competitions.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the opening ceremony of the second Presidential Olympiad. Over 3,500 young athletes from various regions of the country will participate in this event.
The competitions will cover 26 different sports, including both Olympic and Paralympic disciplines. Approximately 1,500 coaches are supporting the participants.
Addressing those present, the head of state congratulated the athletes, coaches, and everyone involved in sports on the start of the competitions. He emphasized that every participant arrived at the Olympiad with hope for success and their own dream.
Mirziyoyev stated: 'Each of you came to this platform with your dream, your goal, and most importantly, with great faith in victory.'
According to Mirziyoyev, a comprehensive system of sports development has been created in the country over the past years. This system covers the path from amateur activities to the professional level, including the selection of talented athletes and preparation for international starts. The President stressed that the main task of this work is to form a generation that is independent, resolute, and healthy.
He added: 'At the heart of this work is our desire to raise children to be healthy, resolute, and independently thinking people.'
Over the last decade, Uzbek athletes have won 5,518 medals at major international tournaments, 1,675 of which are gold. This figure is three times higher than the results achieved in the previous decade. Furthermore, one-third of all awards went to female athletes.
The president separately noted the triumph of the men's national team of Uzbekistan at the World Chess Olympiad, which recently took place in Samarkand. The team won for the second time, adding a new chapter to the history of Uzbek chess.
Mirziyoyev expressed his conviction that future record holders and champions will emerge among the participants of the current Olympiad, who will be able to gain recognition on the world sports stage.
