DAKAR, SENEGAL – A globally representative young cohort of 15 aspiring reporters, aged 21 to 25, has been selected for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Young Reporters Programme during the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). The IOC announced their names today – Friday, 20 March, stating those chosen represent a diverse mix of cultures, experiences and perspectives from across the Olympic Movement.
Their selection follows strong global interest in the initiative, with 271 applications received from 32 countries after the revamped format of the programme was launched and applications opened in September last year. Women dominate the group. Six of the participants are from Africa, including three from host nation Senegal. The group also includes representatives from territories that will host future Olympic and Youth Olympic Games, together with participants from other regions across Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. Senegal will host the games set to take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026. The showpiece will bring together approximately 2,700 young athletes aged up to 17 across three host zones: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
The global sporting body IOC says the participants will gain hands-on experience, reporting on a major multi-sport event while training alongside international media for the duration of the YOG.
“The Young Reporters will train and work in the Main Press Centre alongside accredited international media, gaining practical experience while covering competitions and cultural activities taking place across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly. Specialised training includes print journalism, sports photography, broadcasting and social media reporting, reflecting the evolving demands of the modern sports media landscape. Led by senior Olympic media professionals and experienced journalists, the programme combines classroom sessions with hands-on reporting in the field,” the global body stated.
The participants will also gain experience working in mixed zones, press conferences and live event environments, while the stories, photos and video packages they produce will be published on the Young Reporters programme’s media platforms.
The chosen candidates are:
Oumou Koulsoum Balde (Senegal), Boubacar Diop (Senegal), Aissatou Ka (Senegal), Nathan Goddard-McCarthy (Barbados), 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).
Launched ahead of the inaugural YOG in Singapore in 2010, the IOC Young Reporters Programme is a key initiative designed to help develop the next generation of sports journalists.
Since its creation in 2010, IOC stated that 125 participants from 68 countries have taken part, many of whom have gone on to build careers in sports journalism and media, including at the Olympic Games and within organisations across the Olympic Movement.
