IOC selects 15 young reporters for Dakar 2026 programme

Fifteen aspiring sports journalists from across the globe have been selected to participate in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Young Reporters Programme during the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The announcement follows strong global interest in the revamped initiative, which attracted 271 applications from 32 countries after applications opened in September 2025. The selected cohort, aged between 21 and 25, will take part in an immersive, hands-on training experience during the Games, working alongside professional media covering the event.

The programme is designed to provide participants with first-hand experience of reporting on a major international multi-sport event. Based in the Main Press Centre, the young journalists will cover competitions and cultural activities across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, gaining exposure to real-time reporting environments.

A globally representative group has been selected, reflecting a wide range of cultures and perspectives from across the Olympic Movement. Six of the participants are from Africa, including three from host nation Senegal. The group also includes representatives from regions set to host future Olympic events, as well as participants from Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas.

The selected Young Reporters are: Oumou Koulsoum Balde (Senegal), Boubacar Diop (Senegal), Nathan Goddard-McCarthy (Barbados), Aissatou Ka (Senegal), Flavie Kazmierczak (France), Yue Liu (China), Simone Longo (Italy), Nkele Martin (Canada), Mahbubat Salahudeen (Nigeria), Hawa Sow Tall (Mauritania), Aina Vall (Spain), Joh Vonne Roberts (USA), Abigael Wafula (Kenya), Jack Young (Australia) and Evelyn Younger (Australia).

During the programme, participants will receive specialist training across multiple disciplines, including print journalism, sports photography, broadcasting and social media reporting—key areas reflecting the evolving nature of modern sports media. They will also gain practical experience in mixed zones, press conferences and live event coverage, with their work published across the programme’s media platforms.

Launched ahead of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, the IOC Young Reporters Programme remains a key development pathway for emerging sports journalists. To date, 125 participants from 68 countries have taken part, with many progressing into careers within sports media, including roles linked to the Olympic Games and organisations within the Olympic Movement.

The Dakar 2026 edition builds on this legacy, incorporating updates informed by an independent review conducted in 2025 by Jessie Wilkie of the University of Canberra, ensuring the programme continues to evolve in line with the rapidly changing global media landscape.

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, bringing together approximately 2,700 athletes aged up to 17 across three host zones in Senegal.