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Senegal selected as host country for the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2022

First Olympic event in history to be organised on the African continent

Several years ago, multinational companies realised that Africa could no longer be ignored. It is now up to international sports federations to focus on Africa

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, October 8, 2018/APO Group/ --

Today, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) nominated Senegal as the host country for the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2022. It will be the first Olympic event in history to take place on the African continent.

One of the highlights of the YOG will be the leading rugby sevens teams competing against each other. Rugby sevens made its debut at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing and was one of 32 sports at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.

“The 2022 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal represents a fantastic opportunity to showcase rugby sevens in Africa. Rugby is the fastest growing sport on the continent. In 2002, only six African nations played rugby. Now there are 38! Out of 105 countries playing rugby competitively in the world, one third are African countries,” stated Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, founder and CEO of APO Group, and the main official sponsor of the World Rugby African Association, Rugby Africa.

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, recently declared “It is time for Africa - 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 endeavour to deliver together, as part of a strong partnership, a visionary, responsible and inspiring Youth Games”.

Senegal's application was based on three sites: the capital, Dakar; the new city of Diamniadio; and the seaside resort of Saly. Senegal’s project is tied to the country’s general development strategy, notably the national government’s “Emerging Senegal’’ plan, which envisions major economic and infrastructure improvements.

“According to the United Nations, Africa will have nearly 4.5 billion inhabitants by 2100, representing 40% of the world's population. Several years ago, multinational companies realised that Africa could no longer be ignored. It is now up to international sports federations to focus on Africa. The competition between the sports will be fierce and first to come will certainly be the first served; a key factor being a significant increase in the number of participants and their income from sponsorship and television broadcasting rights”, added Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard.

The 2022 Summer Youth Olympic Games will be the fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games and the seventh edition of the Youth Olympic Games.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.

Press contact:
Marie
marie@apo-opa.org

About APO Group:
Founded in 2007, APO Group (www.apo-opa.com) is the leading media relations consultancy and press release distribution service in Africa and the Middle East. We assist private and public organisations in sharpening their reputation and increasing their brand equity in target countries. As a trusted partner, our role is to leverage the power of media and build bespoke strategies that enable organisations to produce a real and measurable impact in Africa and the Middle East and outside the regional frontiers. The trust and recognition that have been granted to APO Group by global and multinational companies, governments and NGOs inspires us to continuously enhance our value proposition within Africa & Middle East to better cater to our clients’ needs. Among our prestigious clients: Facebook, Dangote Group, GE, Uber, Microsoft, Nokia, Mara Group, PwC, DHL, Marriott Group, Sage, Ecobank, Iflix, Jumia, Samsung, Total, Merck, Société Générale, L'Oréal, Oracle, Philips, Barclays, MoneyGram, Ernst & Young, Orange, etc.
APO Group is the main Official Sponsor of World Rugby's African association, Rugby Africa.
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