Turning inspiration into action: IOC Young Leaders engaging with athletes at Dakar 2026
Amid the vibrant atmosphere at Athlete365 House in the heart of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Village, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Young Leaders are connecting with young athletes, exchanging experiences and sharing their stories. Together, they are exploring how sport can be a force for positive change and make a difference far beyond the field of play.
Key facts
- Nine IOC Young Leaders are running the Olympic Social Impact booth at Athlete365 House in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Village.
- Through conversations and interactive activities, they are showing young athletes how sport and the Olympic values can create positive change beyond competition.
- Part of the Dakar 2026 Athlete Education Programme, the initiative aims to encourage young athletes to explore how they could make a difference in their own communities through sport.
For Nigerian IOC Young Leader Jordan Osarenren Joel, the conversations taking place at Athlete365 House offer an opportunity to share a message close to his heart: young people should not have to choose between pursuing their sporting ambitions and achieving their academic goals.
A taekwondo athlete himself, who aims to qualify for the LA28 Olympic Games, Jordan understands the challenges of balancing both. Through his “The Secret Life of a Student Athlete” podcast, he highlights the synergies between sport and education, showing that it is possible to do both. In Dakar, he is sharing his experience with YOG athletes and encouraging them to consider how they too can use sport to make a difference.
My experience in Dakar has truly been special, and I feel blessed to witness the first Olympic Games in Africa. It’s been filled with unforgettable moments like meeting the IOC President, speaking with the Youth Olympic Games athletes about my project and hanging out with my fellow IOC Young Leaders. I’m so happy to be here, and I’m grateful to Senegal and the IOC for putting Africa on the map and inspiring a generation.
For Jordan, the interest shown by the athletes has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience. Their curiosity and enthusiasm reinforce his belief that young athletes can become powerful advocates for positive change within their communities.
Inspiring ideas through sport
Jordan is not alone in connecting with the next generation at Dakar 2026. Across the Olympic Social Impact booth at Athlete365 House, another seven IOC Young Leaders are introducing athletes to their projects and demonstrating how sport can be a catalyst for addressing challenges in society.
For IOC Young Leader Rafael Valdivieso from the Dominican Republic, the exchanges have been a reminder of the values that unite young people through sport. Through his Juega Bien initiative, Rafael uses sport and physical education to promote peaceful conflict resolution and inclusion, and combat bullying in schools.
Dakar 2026 has been inspiring. Engaging with YOG athletes at the Olympic Social Impact booth and seeing how they embody the Olympic values is genuinely promising.
Kenyan IOC Young Leader Audrey Oronda has also been struck by the athletes' enthusiasm and the wider significance of being part of the Games. Through the ATTAIN Parkinson’s Initiative, Audrey is exploring how table tennis can support people living with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers in Kenya. For her, Dakar 2026 has been an opportunity to see the Olympic Movement bring people together while celebrating the richness of African culture.
“My experience at Dakar 2026 has been both emotional and educational. Seeing the athletes excited about the work we do and witnessing the world come together at the Opening Ceremony have been incredible experiences. It was an honour to meet so many sporting icons, including IOC President Kirsty Coventry, making this an inspiring milestone.”
Passing on the inspiration
The exchanges are leaving a lasting impression on the Young Leaders. Zimbabwean IOC Young Leader Nadine Taderera has particularly enjoyed seeing athletes return to the booth after taking part in activities and discussions.
Through her project Perekedza, she is using hiking as a way to advance gender equality, safety and environmental stewardship. By creating a safe, well-monitored walking and hiking trail in Harare, she aims to empower women and girls to enjoy outdoor activities free from harassment while fostering appreciation for Zimbabwe’s biodiversity and stronger connections with nature.
Dakar 2026 has been incredible! You can feel the energy and passion of everyone involved. Showing people how they can use their passion for sport to transform their communities has been really rewarding.
Planting the seeds of change
The Olympic Social Impact booth is part of the wider Dakar 2026 Athlete Education Programme, which helps athletes make the most of their Youth Olympic Games experience and develop skills beyond competition. Through interactive activities, conversations and real-life examples, the nine IOC Young Leaders are encouraging athletes to consider how they too can use sport to make a difference.
For Audrey, Chloe, Eduardo, Jacqueline, Jordan, Nadine, Rafael, Sara and Shereif, the experience goes beyond sharing their individual projects and journeys. It is about opening up possibilities, encouraging new ideas and showing young athletes that they do not need to wait to become changemakers.
Through the connections made at Dakar 2026, they hope to inspire a new generation to carry the Olympic values back to their own communities and turn their ideas into action.
IOC Young Leaders in Dakar:
- Audrey Oronda (Kenya)
- Chloé Abou Chabake (Lebanon/France)
- Eduardo Oliveira (Portugal)
- Jacqueline Simoneau OLY (Canada)
- Jordan Joel (Nigeria)
- Nadine Taderera (Zimbabwe)
- Rafael Valdivieso (Dominican Republic)
- Sara Moamen Abdelsamie (Egypt)
- Shereif Kholeif (Great Britain/Egypt)
About the IOC Young Leaders Programme
Launched in 2016, the IOC Young Leaders Programme empowers young people to leverage the power of sport to make a positive difference in their communities. The programme contributes to the Olympic Social Impact ambitions of the IOC’s Fit for the Future strategy. Through a wide range of initiatives, the IOC supports programmes that use sport and sports participation to advance health, education and inclusion, including initiatives that reach young people in underserved communities.