Australia has come away from the 2026 Youth Olympic Games with six medals as Senegal held up its hands for the Olympic movement in Africa.
The Dakar Games were the first Olympic event to be hosted in Africa, with organisers hailing the success as further proof of the continent's ability to host major international competitions.
South Africa, which staged the men's FIFA World Cup in 2010, is among countries in talks with the IOC about hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.
Nearly 2,700 athletes aged 14 to 17 competed across 25 sports and 153 medal events over two weeks in Senegal.
"I think that everyone came here with certain expectations and I think those expectations have been far exceeded," International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said on Thursday.
"It has been an magnificent journey. It has been extremely magical.
"I think we've shown the world the capability that we have and now we need to choose to take that forward," the Zimbabwean two-time Olympic champion added.
Australia's six medals included four silvers and two bronzes.
Boxer Marley Dodd claimed silver in the men's 55kg event, while Mackenzie Macdonald claimed Australia's first ever taekwondo Youth Olympic Games medal in the 49kg category.
Australia's cyclists excelled, with Elsie Apps winning silver and Caleb McKenzie bronze on the same day in the women's and…
