Changing the narrative on Africa.
Inspired by her father and Ethiopian distance-running great Meseret Defar, 17-year-old Elsabet Amare is preparing to represent her country at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The runner hopes her journey will encourage other young athletes from her hometown of Injibara.
Kenyan runner David Kapaiko once trained barefoot at school while balancing lessons with herding his father’s cattle. Now the 16-year-old is preparing to race in
From watching skateboarders near his home in Soweto to representing South Africa at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, 17-year-old Botho Losaba hopes his journey
With the support of her parents, coach and school, Zambian badminton player Anjuman Bhardwaj will compete at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The 17-year-old hopes to make her country proud while building on her experience in national and international competitions.
Zimbabwean swimmer Connor Grist is preparing for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games while balancing school exams and hours of daily training. The 17-year-old hopes the experience will bring him a step closer to his ambition of reaching the top of his sport.
Ivorian sprinter Bosson Greccy Hillary discovered athletics during a school physical education test. Now, as she prepares to compete in the 100 metres at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the 17-year-old is working towards a dream of making her mark on the world stage.
As Dakar 2026 prepares to make history as Africa’s first Youth Olympic Games, six young refugees are building a path from community sport to elite international competition. Their journey highlights the promise of sporting inclusion.
Favour Ojo began playing table tennis on a wooden plank in her family compound. Five years later, the 16-year-old is preparing to represent Nigeria at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, with her sights set on the senior Olympics.
Dakar 2026 marks a historic moment for African sport, bringing the continent’s next generation of talent to the world stage on home soil. From track and field to judo, table tennis, triathlon and swimming, these 10 young athletes represent the depth of Africa’s sporting talent and the ambitions shaping its future in global competition.
Senegal is putting the finishing touches to preparations for Dakar 2026, as athletes, volunteers and communities prepare to welcome the world to the first Olympic event on African soil.