IOC announces five additional Athlete Role Models for Dakar 2026
Five Athlete Role Models for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) have been announced today by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). They will mentor and inspire young athletes at the first Olympic sporting event ever held on African soil.
Key facts
- Five additional Athlete Role Models have been selected for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
- Overall, there are now 41 Athlete Role Models, including multiple Olympic champions and medallists.
- The Athlete Role Models will be on site in Senegal throughout Dakar 2026, providing mentoring, sharing their experiences and delivering workshop training for young athletes.
The latest additions bring the total number of Athlete Role Models to 41, building on an initial group of 31 Athlete Role Models announced in mid-April 2026 and an additional five announced in mid-May.
This group features Olympic champions and medallists from across disciplines, selected in collaboration with International Federations and representing all 25 competition sports and 10 engagement sports on the Dakar 2026 programme.
The five newly named Athlete Role Models are:
French sailor Charline Picon, a newly appointed Athlete Role Model who won gold at Rio 2016 and silver at Paris 2024, said: "It's a great opportunity for me to support young athletes in their journey and share what I've learned about performance, particularly the mental aspects."
Meanwhile, Australia’s most decorated Olympian, swimmer Emma McKeon, is looking forward to her “full-circle moment” at Dakar 2026, as she competed at the very first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010: “To come back to the Youth Olympics after everything that followed is really special. [...] I know the impact that role models have had on me throughout my sporting journey, and if I can have a positive impact on a young athlete in the same way, that would be really meaningful."
Cuban wrestling legend Mijaín López made Olympic history at Paris 2024 when he became the first athlete to win five consecutive individual gold medals in the same event. He is now ready to share his wealth of experience with the next generation of young athletes at Dakar 2026: “Sport is essential in everyday life and an amazing tool for social and health development. Despite the challenges we face, wrestling has always helped me overcome obstacles […] throughout my career as an athlete.”
I am extremely excited to go to Dakar – as I have never been to Africa – and experience the popularity of wrestling among the Senegalese people. I am sure these Games will change the image of what most people generally think of Africa. I am sure it will be a unique, wonderful experience.
The expanded group will play a central role throughout Dakar 2026, providing mentorship, advice and inspiration to young athletes. Athlete Role Models will be present in the Youth Olympic Village, attend training sessions, lead educational workshops and engage with competitors at venues across the Games.
Workshops will cover topics such as career development, injury prevention and mental preparation, while Athlete Role Models will also participate in victory ceremonies and community activities.
In addition to their involvement in formal workshops, the Athlete Role Models will also provide on-the-ground encouragement at competition venues and victory ceremonies, while engaging with local communities throughout the Games.
Since its introduction at the inaugural Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games, the Athlete Role Model programme has been a key feature of the YOG, designed to connect emerging athletes with experienced sporting figures in a more personal and educational environment.
The Dakar 2026 YOG will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, bringing together around 2,700 young athletes aged up to 17.
The official ticketing platform for the Dakar 2026 YOG is open! Book your tickets here.