THE BIG PICTURE: Senegal’s selection for Youth Olympic Games part of an emphasis on Africa

“Africa is the home of many successful and prominent Olympic athletes. Africa is a continent of youth. That is why we want to take the Youth Olympic Games 2022 to Africa and to Senegal.

“They have offered a project based on a strong vision for youth and sport. There are many opportunities, and we will endeavor to deliver together, as part of a strong partnership, visionary, responsible and inspiring Youth Games.”

That was International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach announcing the IOC Executive Board’s decision to endorse Senegal above Botswana, Nigeria and Tunisia for the 2022 Youth Olympic Games.

The decision will be rubber-stamped at IOC Session at Buenos Aires (ARG) in October, just prior to the start of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

This is another step in a worldwide movement to take large events to Africa, which had the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in 2010, but not much else. Look for this movement to continue, because where the IOC and FIFA are, others are sure to follow.

The IAAF World Championships in 2025 is the next target. The president of the Confederation of African Athletics since 2003, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum (CAM) says “We are talking with Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco; those countries have the facilities.”

Kalkaba noted there were no prior African bids for the IAAF Worlds “because we are facing many other social problems – health, education, building roads or railways – political leaders are sometimes afraid of spending a lot of money on hosting an event.

“But I think many now realize that [staging the championships] could put the nation on the world map in terms of publicity and promote tourism so there is a benefit from hosting the event.” Be careful what you wish for …