Sport in Ivory Coast: football, athletics and martial arts.
In Ivory Coast, sport is both everyday life and national pride. Football dominates — on sand pitches, in front of the television at the maquis, in the stadium at Ebimpé. The country has also produced world-class sprinters and its first Olympic champion in taekwondo. For travellers this means there is plenty to watch, and some of it you can try yourself — from swimming in a hotel pool to kitesurfing in Assinie or an early-morning run. This page sets out the main sports, names the big stars and explains what to watch out for in the heat and in the sea.
Swimming in the pool
The sports at a glance
{{ s.t }}
{{ c.title }}
{{ p }}
Questions we get asked
{{ f.q }}
To the stadium, without driving home at night.
An international at Ebimpé, a weekend tournament — it gets late afterwards. With a driver from our partners you get back safely. We advise you on the route and the vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular sport in Ivory Coast?
Football, by a long way. The national team won the Africa Cup in 1992, 2015 and on home soil, with the final at Ebimpé in February 2024.
What Olympic medals has Ivory Coast won?
The first was Gabriel Tiacoh's 400 m silver in 1984. The first gold came from Cheick Sallah Cissé in taekwondo in 2016; Ruth Gbagbi won taekwondo bronze in 2016 and 2021.
Who are Ivory Coast's best-known athletes?
The sprinters Murielle Ahouré and Marie-Josée Ta Lou, both World Championship medallists over 100 m and 200 m.
Can you swim in the sea in Ivory Coast?
With care. The Atlantic has strong currents and most beaches have no lifeguards. Only swim where others are swimming; for serious swimming a pool is the safe choice.
When is the best time to exercise in the heat?
Early in the morning between 6 and 8 am, or late afternoon. Drink plenty and keep the first sessions short.