Young athletes
‘Lupin’ star Omar Sy named ambassador for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games
A leading actor and influential public figure, Omar Sy has been appointed ambassador of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Committed to supporting young people and closely connected to Senegal, he will lend his voice and image to the first Olympic event ever organised on the African continent, scheduled from 31 October to 13 November 2026.
Omar Sy is one of those personalities who brings people together.
At 47, the internationally acclaimed actor is stepping into a new role - one firmly rooted in real life.
Already the star of productions that have left a lasting mark on audiences worldwide, Sy will now become one of the faces of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026 (https://apo-opa.co/4qoeA42), the first Olympic event to be staged on African soil.
Known for his roles in hit films, the actor first established himself as one of the most popular figures in French-language cinema with The Intouchables in 2011. His global profile grew even further thanks to the Netflix series Lupin, which helped expand his audience well beyond Europe.
His appointment as an ambassador for Dakar 2026 YOG on Monday, 29 December, marks another step in his growing international influence. He shared his feelings upon the announcement of this new role.
"I am proud and honoured to be an ambassador for the Youth Olympic Games that will take place in 2026 in Senegal. These Games represent values that are close to my heart: sharing, solidarity, pushing beyond one's limits, and intercultural encounters," he said.
He also underlined the symbolic significance of the event: "Seeing the youth of Senegal and the entire world shine together on the land of Teranga is a powerful symbol of unity and hope."
Born in France to a father from Senegal, Sy maintains a close personal connection with the country.
This bond has influenced some of his artistic choices, as reflected in his roles in Yao (2018) and Father & Soldier (Tirailleurs, 2022). In January 2025, he was also received by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, further highlighting his commitment to Senegal and its youth.
Omar Sy, committed to youth and sport
Beyond cinema, Sy has built a special relationship with young people and sport.
Deeply involved in social causes benefitting youth, he has long championed the values of openness, solidarity, and excellence that lie at the heart of the Youth Olympic Games.
On the sporting front, Sy recently joined the board of Paris Basketball as a co-owner and was spotted at Roland Garros, posing alongside tennis superstar (https://apo-opa.co/3YjEt9b) Coco Gauff (https://apo-opa.co/45wtWeB) during the 2025 edition.
At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (https://apo-opa.co/48ZUkQl), he attended several competitions and was even tasked with launching the judo competition (https://apo-opa.co/48ZUlDT) day on 2 August, when his friend Teddy Riner (https://apo-opa.co/3Yes8mL) further cemented his legendary status. The actor also made a point of celebrating Senegal's continental title after the 2021 AFCON, held in 2022.
As an ambassador for Dakar 2026 YOG, Sy is poised to embody the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship. He will also help promote the event in all its dimensions: sporting, educational, and cultural.
From 31 October to 13 November 2026, 2,700 athletes under the age of 18 from around the world will gather across Dakar, Saly, and Diamniadio to compete in 35 sports and take part in a historic edition of the Games.
With Sy as ambassador, Dakar 2026 promises to be a celebration of sport, youth, and Africa, as the continent hosts an Olympic event for the very first time.
Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics: Ready to welcome the world
The 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) will take place in Dakar, Senegal, bringing together the world's best young athletes for the first Olympic sporting event to be held on African soil. Senegal's sporting culture and practice are rooted in its history and population, especially young people.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Olympic Committee (IOC).Winning medal design revealed for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games
“The Roar of Youth” – a striking design by 26-year-old Spanish designer Pilar Barbadillo Vicario – has been selected for the obverse of the medals for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). The artwork was selected by a jury (https://apo-opa.co/4p2J3DJ) following a global call for designs and will feature on the medals awarded to athletes who step on to the podium in Senegal.
Key facts:
- “The Roar of Youth” by 26-year-old Spanish designer Pilar Barbadillo Vicario was selected as the Dakar 2026 YOG obverse medal design.
- The medal features a lion, symbolising strength, courage and Senegal, with its mane forming symmetrical faces representing fairness and respect, each wearing olive crowns as a nod to Olympic heritage.
- The design was chosen following a global call for designs that welcomed submissions from 103 countries.
A design inspired by Senegal and the Olympic values
Created following research into Senegalese art and symbolism, The Roar of Youth places a lion at the centre of the design, representing both the host country and the values of strength and courage. The lion's mane is formed by two symmetrical faces inspired by Senegalese art and symbolising fairness and respect in sport. Each face is adorned with an olive crown, recalling the ancient origins of the Olympic Games and the pursuit of excellence. The design is completed with clean lines, creating a medal that reflects both local culture and the Olympic values.
Explaining her approach, Barbadillo Vicario said: “When I was designing the medal, I was thinking about what you see when you already have it at home afterwards. It represents everything you've achieved over time – not only the moment you win it, but all the work behind it and what can motivate you in the future.”
“I feel as if I had won one of those medals myself”
Currently studying for a master's degree in UX/UI design, Barbadillo Vicario described the moment she learned she had won as deeply emotional. “I just can't explain it,” she said. “My sisters and I love the Olympic Games – we always watch them together – and they won't believe this. Even my fingers were shaking.”
Reflecting on what the achievement represents, she added: “Right now, I feel as if I had won one of those medals myself. Athletes express themselves through sport, and for me it's art. Knowing that young athletes will wear a medal with my design is just incredible.”
“I wanted the medal to help winners remember where they were and what they achieved there. It's about knowing you've travelled, that you've been somewhere, and that you've achieved something through your effort.”
The call for designs (https://apo-opa.co/4p2J3DJ), launched in September 2025, attracted submissions from 103 countries, highlighting strong international interest in Dakar 2026, with designers from India, Senegal, Brazil, Mexico and France submitting the highest number of entries. As well as seeing her design awarded to athletes at the YOG, Barbadillo Vicario will be invited to attend Dakar 2026.
The designs were evaluated by a jury featuring International Olympic Committee (IOC) Dakar 2026 Coordination Commission Chair Humphrey Kayange OLY; Gangwon 2024 medal design competition winner Dante Akira Uwai; Olympian artist Annabel Eyres OLY; IOC Young Leaders Peniamina Percival OLY and Pragnya Mohan; IOC Young Reporters Yun Su Park and Yann Durand; and Dakar 2026 ambassador Elzo Jamdong. Coordination Commission Chair Kayange presented the jury's recommendation to the IOC Executive Board last week.
The runner-up was Agisilaos Kyriazis from Greece, with the design entitled “The Sun of Values”, while third place went to Elizuba Joe Abraham from India for “The Celebration of Triumph”.
The reverse of the medal will be designed by the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee through a national competition and will incorporate Senegalese cultural elements alongside the Youth Olympic Games emblem.
The opportunity for young designers to create the obverse of the Youth Olympic medals was first introduced at the inaugural YOG in Singapore in 2010, when Japan's Setsuko Fukuzawa created the “Yes Youth Can” design. Since then, designers from Slovakia, Romania, Indonesia, New Zealand and Brazil have seen their creations presented to young athletes on the podium at the YOG.
The Dakar 2026 YOG will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, bringing together 2,700 of the world's best young athletes aged up to 17. The Games will be held across three host sites: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Olympic Committee (IOC).