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Dakar 2026 Flame Tour Brings Olympic Spirit to Asmara
Eritrean Olympians and young athletes celebrated the Dakar 2026 Flame Tour in Asmara on 26 September, alongside the Central Region’s grassroots championship closing ceremony.
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October 1, 2026
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EriNOC News · Dakar 2026 Dakar 2026 Flame Tour Brings Olympic Spirit to Asmara
Olympians and young athletes share the flame in a celebration of sporting heritage, grassroots development and the next generation of Eritrean talent.
By Mansour Nouredin Event: 26 September 2026 Asmara, Eritrea
Lighting the ceremonial torch at Asmara Stadium during the Dakar 2026 Flame Tour.
2,436 young athletes, approximately
16 administrative subzones
5 sport disciplines
12–17 years of age
The Eritrean National Olympic Committee held a Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Flame Tour ceremony in Asmara on Saturday, 26 September 2026, bringing together celebrated Olympians, emerging athletes and thousands of spectators.
The celebration connected Eritrea’s sporting achievements with the aspirations of its young athletes. It culminated at Asmara Stadium, where students, young sporting talents and invited guests had gathered from early morning to welcome the flame.
Olympians lead the flame procession
The flame was lit by Olympian Abrar Osman, gold medallist in the boys’ 3,000 metres at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010.
The second flame bearer was Daniel Teklehaimanot, who represented Eritrea in cycling at the London 2012 Olympic Games. He also made history at the 2015 Tour de France as the first African rider to wear the polka-dot jersey.
The procession was accompanied by other distinguished Eritrean Olympians, including Ghirmay Ghebreslassie, Dolshi Tesfu and Nazreth Weldu. Their presence brought a powerful sense of sporting heritage to the occasion.
At Asmara Stadium, approximately 250 male and female flag bearers formed a welcoming corridor. The flag ceremony extended around the track, guiding the flame bearers towards the final stage of the celebration.
The Olympic flag leads participants through the stadium. The flame relay continues around the track at Asmara Stadium.
Passing the flame to a new generation
At the stadium, Eritrea’s Dakar 2026 cycling and athletics teams received the flame from the senior Olympians. The handover symbolised the passing of experience, inspiration and responsibility to the next generation of athletes.
The cycling team completed a lap of the track before handing over to the athletics team, which continued the relay. Athlete Kanary Teklemaryam and cyclist Sirak Bereket then lit the main ceremonial torch in front of the assembled participants, celebrating the spirit of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
From experienced Olympians to emerging talent: a shared celebration of Eritrea’s sporting future.