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.
The mascot is depicted wearing a traditional Fulani Tingandé hat, which represents wisdom, dignity and a strong connection to rural life.
The organising committee stated that Ayo perfectly reflects the values of Dakar 2026 and highlights the rich cultural heritage of Senegal, the host nation for the first-ever Olympic event to be held on African soil.
Ayo was selected following a nationwide competition launched by the Dakar 2026 organising committee in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education.
The initiative saw over 500 entries from middle and secondary school students across all 16 academic inspectorates in Senegal, successfully promoting creativity and strengthening the connection of young people to the upcoming Games.
Addressing the attendees, Coventry, the IOC president, emphasised the historical significance of the event.
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“These Games represent so much for Africa; they will inspire the next generation and open doors of opportunity across our continent and beyond,” she said.
“Mascot Ayo carries a powerful message of joy and breaks many boundaries, a true symbol of how young and dynamic our continent is... I can’t wait to be back here a year from now to celebrate together.”
Also present at the ceremony were Humphrey Kayange, chair of the IOC Co-ordination Commission for Dakar 2026, and Mamadou D Ndiaye, president of the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee and the Senegalese Olympic Committee.
The one-year countdown celebration included further events, with Worldwide Olympic Partner OMEGA unveiled as the official countdown.
The festivities continue with the fourth and final edition of Dakar en Jeux, the annual cultural and sports festival.
This event runs from November 4 to 9 across Dakar, Diamniadi, and Saly, bringing local communities together through sport, music, and visual arts to promote Olympic values.
The Dakar 2026 YOG is scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026, bringing together 2 700 of the world’s best young athletes (up to 17 years old) across the three host sites: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
