Thirty-one athletes have been announced as Athlete Role Models for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, where they will play an integral role in supporting the next generation of athletes.
Athlete Role Models have been an ever-present at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) since the very first edition at Singapore 2010, and the latest cohort are now ready to pass on their knowledge to young athletes at Dakar 2026.
As experienced Olympians and elite athletes, the Athlete Role Models will be on the ground in Senegal to engage with athletes from their sport, providing support and advice around competition and taking part in educational workshops.
There are 25 sports on the Dakar 2026 competition programme, alongside 10 engagement sports, and each will have at least one Athlete Role Model at the Games.
Dakar 2026 will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, bringing together around 2,700 young athletes aged up to 17 across three host zones: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
An important role
The YOG are designed to prepare young athletes for the step up to elite competition, both on and off the field of play.
Athlete Role Models play a crucial role in the success of the event, offering participants the chance to engage with someone who has experienced the highest level of competition within their sport.
Each Athlete Role Model will be at the YOG for a designated period of time and will take part in various educational activities and workshops covering skills and topics that are relevant to athletes’ development. This includes career management, injury prevention, mental preparation and more.
They will also attend training sessions, engage with the local community, watch the athletes from the sidelines and be there to congratulate the winners at the victory ceremonies.
Meet the Athlete Role Models
The first 31 Athlete Role Models for Dakar 2026 have been announced, including multiple Olympic champions and medallists.
Click the link to find out who they are – each has a bio with more information about them and their achievements.
