On October 31, the Youth Olympic Games get underway in Dakar, Senegal. Days before the opening, IOC President Kirsty Coventry , the most decorated African Olympian with seven medals, reflects on her formative years in Africa, the lessons she has learned along the way, and the pressures faced by the current generation of athletes. The International Olympic Committee, which conducted the interview, shared its excerpts with The Indian Express.

Have your travels to Senegal in the lead-up to Dakar 2026 felt a little bit like returning home?

Kirsty Coventry: I think everyone forgets how big Africa is. I mean, you could fit the US and China in the continent, so obviously there’s a lot of differences across every country. Having said that, we also share a lot of similarities. In most countries, you can walk down any street and everyone will say hi or wave. You don’t have to know each other, it’s just part of the African culture.…