By Alpha Kamara
DAKAR, Senegal (AA) - The International Olympic Committee has chosen Senegal to host the 2022 Youth Olympic Games – making it the first African host of any Olympics.
The other bidders were Nigeria, Botswana and Tunisia.
The announcement was made late Monday by IOC Vice President Ugur Erdener in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Senegalese President Macky Sall, who was present at the event, said the government-backed bid includes a $150 million budget, a 50,000-seat Olympic stadium, a railway link and an Olympic village.
“I thank the IOC members for the historic decision. Senegal becomes the first African country to host an Olympic event,” Sall said on Twitter.
Last month, IOC President Thomas Bach said “it is time for Africa” after the committee’s Executive Board recommended Senegal over the other three bids.
“Africa is a continent of youth,” he stressed.
The Senegal 2022 Youth Games will be hosted in three cities: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.