Dakar 2026 unveils ‘Ayo’ the Lion as official mascot

THE Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) marked its one-year-to-go milestone this week with the official unveiling of its mascot, “Ayo”, a vibrant young lion embodying the spirit and culture of Senegal and West Africa.

The announcement was the highlight of a special ceremony held at the Grand Théâtre in Dakar, attended by high-ranking officials including Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry.

Ayo, whose name means “joy” in Yoruba — a widely spoken language in West Africa — is designed to symbolise the joy and energy of Senegalese youth.

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