My dear compatriots,

Tonight, the Youth Olympic Games draw to a close in Dakar. Senegal made a promise to the world that it would host these Games. We kept that promise. And we kept it well.

First and foremost, our country owes this success to you, the people of Senegal. You filled the stadiums, welcomed our guests and cheered on young athletes from every nation with the same warmth. You showed the world who we are. On behalf of the nation, I thank you.

I congratulate the athletes and all the delegations that came from every continent. They showed us the very best of the world’s youth. I want them to know that Senegal will always be their home.

To our own athletes, I want you to know how proud your country is of you. Whether or not you won a medal, you wore our colours with dignity and brought honour to our nation.

An event like this takes the work of many people. I thank the International Olympic Committee and its President, Ms Christy Coventry, for the trust they placed in our country and in Africa. I thank our friends around the world and all the partners who supported us. I pay tribute to my predecessor, under whose leadership Senegal made this commitment. I congratulate the Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee, along with all the government departments, local authorities and volunteers who helped make these Games a success.

These Games took years to bring to fruition, and there were difficult moments along the way. Let me say this again: when Senegal makes a commitment, it is a commitment for all Senegalese.

I hope we will carry forward what these two weeks have taught us. Senegal is a great country, respected and loved around the world. When the Senegalese people unite around a common goal, they achieve it. Other challenges lie ahead. Together, we will rise to them in the same spirit.

Long live our youth! Long live Senegal! Long live Africa!