DAKAR (Senegal) – IOC President Kirsty Coventry visited the 3×3 basketball competition at the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, watching games at the Tour de l’Œuf Complex and meeting athletes from the participating teams.
The visit carries particular significance. Coventry, the first African and first woman to serve as IOC President, previously chaired the IOC Coordination Commission for Dakar 2026, the first Olympic event to be held on African soil.
Coventry was accompanied by IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi and IOC Sports Director Pierre Ducrey.
The delegation was welcomed by FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, FIBA Executive Committee member and Chair of the FIBA 3×3 Commission Carmen Tocala, and Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalist Sonja Greinacher, who is in Dakar as an Athlete Role Model for the Games. Greinacher, who led Germany to 3×3 basketball gold in Paris and was named MVP of the women’s tournament, has been working with the young athletes throughout the competition.
During her visit, Coventry watched games from the boys’ and girls’ tournaments and spoke about the format and the atmosphere at the venue.
“I love 3×3. I think it’s a lot of fun, it’s super quick. You’ve got really good teams. They’re so agile and keep you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see who’s going to get that final point. It’s super fun, with a great atmosphere. The atmosphere is just lively. There are people even outside the venue trying to come in and wanting to be part of the energy. The atmosphere that’s here — it’s electric.” – Kirsty Coventry, IOC President
“It is a pleasure to welcome the IOC President to Dakar and see how Senegal, a country with such a rich basketball tradition, has embraced 3×3 basketball. The enthusiasm of the local community reflects the sport’s growing connection with fans across the world.” – Andreas Zagklis, FIBA Secretary General
The visit also gave athletes the opportunity to meet the IOC President.
“I think it’s an honor to meet her. It’s a very new experience to see who is organizing these events.” – Singapore’s Hong Rui Jaden Ng.
“I think this meeting with the IOC President was so good. It’s an experience that I don’t have in another tournament, and I’m so grateful. For me, this is a motivation for the next games and to stay here and have a good time.” – Chile’s Constanza Belén Mella Reyes
Twenty-four national teams, 12 boys’ and 12 girls’, are competing in the 3×3 basketball tournaments at Dakar 2026. The competition concludes today, November 9, with the Semi-Finals and medal games at the Tour de l’Œuf Complex.
Stay Connected
Follow the 3×3 basketball results from Dakar 2026 on the official FIBA 3×3 website, and see how past Youth Olympians have gone on to compete on the World Tour, the Women’s Series and at the Olympic Games. To learn more about the format, explore the official FIBA 3×3 Rules and the FIBA 3×3 Competition Structure.
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