The 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar are currently underway, marking the first time an Olympic event has been hosted on the African continent. The competition, which runs from October 31 to November 13, features over 2,500 young athletes under the age of 18 from 205 nations. Bulgaria has sent a delegation of 17 athletes to participate in this historic event, with BNT 3 and the BNT sport website providing coverage of the games.
Bulgarian Representation in Dakar
Athletics features national record holder Vasil Antonov, who is scheduled to compete in the 400-meter run on November 8.
During the games, Bulgarian officials—including General Secretary of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee Danail Dimov and Chairman of the Youth and Sports Commission Petar Stoychev—have been present in Dakar to support the athletes. The delegation visited the swimming complex to observe Simona Ivanova, who secured a fourth-place finish in the 400-meter freestyle final, as reported by bTV Sport.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye Opens Games Watched by Viewers on BNT 3
The games were officially opened by the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in a ceremony that included more than 2,700 athletes and over 1,100 personnel. Former International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach, now serving as honorary president, attended the opening ceremony alongside current IOC president Kirsty Coventry.
Bulgarian viewers can follow the competition through the following broadcast schedule on BNT 3:
- November 1-5: Swimming finals
- November 7: Artistic gymnastics (boys’ qualifications)
- November 8-10: Athletics events
- November 12: Men’s football finals
- November 13: Closing ceremony at 20:00
While the schedule for television and online streaming is set, broadcasters have not yet decided which additional specific matches will be added to the rotation should Bulgarian athletes advance to the final stages of their respective disciplines.
