Lame’s appointment marks the latest milestone in the lead-up to the Games, with the event’s prominence and international appeal continuing to grow
DAKAR, Senegal, March, 2026/ – Khaby Lame has been named an
official ambassador for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), as
momentum builds ahead of the first Olympic sporting event to be held in
Africa. Lame’s appointment marks the latest milestone in the lead-up to
the Games, with the event’s prominence and international appeal
continuing to grow.
A social media sensation followed by hundreds of millions of people
worldwide, the Italian-Senegalese influencer joins a prestigious group
of ambassadors, alongside Omar Sy, Kalidou Koulibaly and Eva Neymar.
This convergence of talent illustrates the breadth of engagement
generated by Dakar 2026, which goes far beyond the world of sport.
Lame, who was officially appointed on 26 March 2026 in Dakar, expressed
his pride at becoming part of this historic event for the continent:
“This commitment reflects my desire to support young African talent,
both in sport and beyond. Dakar 2026 will give our continent the
opportunity to showcase the best of itself and inspire young people in
Africa and around the world. It is a chance to demonstrate that, as well
as being resilient, Africa is a force to be reckoned with. I am proud to
be Senegalese and proud to be African – and we will make this first
Olympic event in Africa a resounding success.”
Having risen to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lame has become a
global phenomenon thanks to the simple format and universally accessible
nature of his content. His massive audience and connection with young
people offer a powerful platform to promote the vision and values of the
Games.
Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, the President of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic
Games Organising Committee (YOGOC), underlined how Lame’s appointment is
part of a broader engagement approach. “Khaby Lame’s involvement
illustrates the incredible enthusiasm generated by this edition of the
Games,” he said. “Dakar 2026 is bringing together, inspiring and
attracting talented individuals who want to help make this event a
global success.”
Lame will play an active role in promoting the Games, particularly among
young audiences. He will be involved in some of the event’s key moments,
such as the YOG Torch Tour across Senegal, and will help strengthen the
social and inclusive impact of Dakar 2026, including by facilitating the
participation of young people from cities and towns such as Mbacké,
where he was born.
This partnership is the latest demonstration of Dakar 2026’s ability to
engage influential voices on a global scale and embody a powerful
ambition: to make these YOG a universal celebration of youth, sport and
Africa’s potential.
About Dakar 2026:
The Dakar 2026 YOG will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026.
The first Olympic sporting event to be held in Africa, the YOG will
bring together around 2,700 young athletes aged up to 17 from around the
world, across three host zones: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
The Dakar 2026 YOGOC, in coordination with the International Olympic
Committee, is responsible for organising this event, with the goal of
leaving a lasting legacy for Senegal and Africa as a whole.
