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In exactly six months, eight International Olympic Committee (IOC) (www.Olympics.com<\/a>) Young Leaders (http:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4dngApr<\/a>) from Africa, Europe and the Americas will head to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) (http:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4dngBtv<\/a>) to turn the Olympic values into action. On site, they will work directly with young athletes and local communities, delivering hands-on sport-based activities designed to spark confidence, promote inclusion and create meaningful connections through sport. \u201cThis is about finishing what we began,\u201d said Zouzar Bouka. \u201cEverest demands humility and perseverance. Last year taught us hard lessons. This year, we return as a family, carrying Madagascar with us every step of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n KEY FACTS<\/strong><\/p>\n The group of Young Leaders brings together a diverse range of changemakers using sport as a tool for social development in their respective communities, and includes strong representation from Africa:<\/p>\n Audrey Oronda\u00a0(http:\/\/apo-opa.co\/3QI8gYJ<\/a>)\u00a0(Kenya)<\/p>\n Jordan Joel\u00a0(http:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4evpaDG<\/a>) (Nigeria)<\/p>\n Nadine Taderera\u00a0(http:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4dngDl7<\/a>) (Zimbabwe)<\/p>\n Sara Moamen Abdelsamie\u00a0(http:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4cSX04d<\/a>) (Egypt)<\/p>\n Shereif Kholeif\u00a0(http:\/\/apo-opa.co\/42lDxmG<\/a>) (Great Britain\/Egypt)<\/p>\n Jacqueline Simoneau\u00a0(http:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4eAsM7v<\/a>) (Canada)<\/p>\n SunMin Park (http:\/\/apo-opa.co\/48MsarE<\/a>) (Canada)<\/p>\n Rafael Valdivieso (http:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4d8YaY8<\/a>) (Dominican Republic)<\/p>\n A MOMENT OF PRIDE AND CONNECTION<\/strong><\/p>\n At Dakar 2026, the energy of the YOG will go beyond competition. For the IOC Young Leaders, the moment is about people, connection and impact.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing part of Dakar 2026 represents far more than participation; it is history in the making,\u201d said Sara Moamen Abdelsamie. \u201cAs an African, standing on home soil of the first Olympic event ever to be held on our continent fills me with pride, purpose and deep gratitude. It is an extraordinary privilege to be part of this legacy\u201d.<\/p>\n For Jordan Joel<\/strong>, being present in Dakar carries a deeply personal meaning.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a Nigerian, it is an honour to contribute to the first Olympic event held in Africa. I hope to inspire young people to see how sport can be used to support communities and address important challenges. It\u2019s more than a game.\u201d<\/p>\n Jord<\/strong>an Joel<\/strong><\/p>\n IOC Young Leader<\/strong><\/p>\n Audrey Oronda<\/strong> highlighted the opportunity Dakar 2026 represents for young people: \u201cFor me, Dakar 2026 is a moment to amplify youth voices, celebrate inclusion, and inspire long-term change across communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Nadine Taderera<\/strong>, emphasised the importance of connection.<\/p>\n Being part of Dakar 2026 means getting the opportunity to engage with people from diverse backgrounds in celebration of the power of sport.<\/p>\n Nad<\/strong>ine Taderera<\/strong><\/p>\n IOC Young Leader<\/strong><\/p>\n YOUNG LEADERS CONNECTING WITH YOUNG ATHLETES<\/strong><\/p>\n United by a shared commitment to social impact through sport, the IOC Young Leaders\u2019 projects address key challenges aligned with the IOC\u2019s Olympism365 strategy to build a better world through sport, including access to education, gender equality, inclusion, peace-building, well-being and youth empowerment.<\/p>\n Their initiatives range from supporting people living with chronic conditions through sport, to empowering women and girls, strengthening community cohesion, creating safer environments and promoting the holistic development of student-athletes.<\/p>\n Inside Athlete365 House in the Youth Olympic Village, the IOC Young Leaders will create a space where athletes can pause, engage and reflect. Through simple, interactive moments \u2013 including games, conversations and short learning experiences \u2013 they will introduce the athletes to the ideas behind the IOC\u2019s Olympism365 strategy (http:\/\/apo-opa.co\/3P7W6Yz<\/a>), showing how sport can shape lives far beyond the field of play.<\/p>\n Outside the Youth Olympic Village, the Young Leaders will also engage with local communities across Dakar, ensuring that the impact of the Games extends beyond the competition venues and resonates throughout the host city.<\/p>\n The Dakar 2026 YOG will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026.<\/p>\n IOC YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAMME CONTRIBUTING TO OLYMPISM 365 DAYS A YEAR<\/strong><\/p>\n 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 Olympism365 (http:\/\/apo-opa.co\/3P7W6Yz<\/a>), the IOC\u2019s approach to using sport as an important enabler of sustainable development, and specifically to Olympism365\u2019s Innovation portfolio, which aims to identify, sustain and scale innovative sports-based approaches that deliver concrete impact in targeted communities.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n