Latest news with #YOG
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dakar 2026 Learning Academy Officially Launches With First Cohort of Young Professionals
NORTHAMPTON, MA / / June 6, 2025 / International Olympic Committee news The Dakar 2026 Learning Academy, a new flagship legacy initiative designed to recruit and train over 400 young professionals in Games delivery, was officially launched on Wednesday. The inauguration ceremony was held as part of the seventh visit of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s Dakar 2026 Coordination Commission (CoCom) to Senegal. The training programme marks a key step in building local expertise ahead of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) and ensuring a strong human legacy from the first Olympic sports event on African soil. As part of the structured programme, participants receive 10 days of training delivered by the IOC, followed by five days of soft-skills development. Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, they gain essential knowledge in Games planning, sports and event operations, and functional area responsibilities. This equips them with the skills to support the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee (YOGOC), while helping to build long-term event delivery capacity across Senegal and the continent. Once their training is complete, participants will join the YOGOC, applying their skills directly to the coordination and delivery of the Youth Olympic Games. In total, more than 400 young professionals will be trained through nine cohorts between now and September 2026. Over half of the Dakar 2026 workforce is expected to be composed of Learning Academy alumni, demonstrating the central role this initiative is playing in delivering the Games. The first cohort of 41 young professionals began their training in late April. They were selected from a pool of 1,800 applicants through a rigorous recruitment process. During their visit, the Coordination Commission members observed the first cohort in training at the Learning Academy, where the participants' enthusiasm and engagement were clearly on display. The delegation later joined the uplifting launch ceremony, which was marked by heartfelt messages, infectious enthusiasm and a strong sense of purpose from the participants. The initiative reflects the Organising Committee's strong focus on people management and long-term legacy. It also supports broader efforts to embed youth empowerment at the heart of Dakar 2026. IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry congratulated the trainees and praised the impact of the initiative and the spirit of the first cohort. "Next year, when we host the Youth Olympic Games, you are going to show the world what it is to be African, to feel African and to have that experience. You are ambassadors for the young generation of what the sporting movement can be, and the legacy the Youth Olympic Games can leave behind."- Kirsty Coventry, IOC President-elect Humphrey Kayange, Chair of the Dakar 2026 Coordination Commission, said: "On behalf of the entire Commission, we're truly excited and looking forward to engaging with you. We're confident in your ability to deliver. Together, we will bring these Games to life and celebrate the Youth Olympic Games in a uniquely African way. I wish you all the best as you begin working across different functional areas in the coming weeks. We're looking forward to your success and the success of the Games." Earlier during the CoCom meeting, Ibrahima Wade, General Coordinator of the YOGOC, emphasised the Academy's role in preparing the next generation of event professionals: "At the Dakar 2026 Learning Academy, participants will receive appropriate support through tailored training modules and an environment where sport and Olympism will contribute to their professional development, based around the values of friendship, excellence and respect. These young recruits will go on to play an active role in delivering the first Youth Olympic Games in Africa." The Learning Academy is part of a broader suite of legacy initiatives led by the Organising Committee to ensure that Dakar 2026 leaves a lasting impact on young people across Senegal and the African continent. The YOG Dakar 2026 will take place for two weeks from 31 October, bringing together the world's best young athletes up to the age of 17. The Games will be held across three host sites (Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly). View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from International Olympic Committee on Contact Info:Spokesperson: International Olympic CommitteeWebsite: info@ SOURCE: International Olympic Committee View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
Dakar 2026 Learning Academy officially launches with first cohort of young professionals
The Dakar 2026 ( Learning Academy, a new flagship legacy initiative designed to recruit and train over 400 young professionals in Games delivery, was officially launched on Wednesday. The inauguration ceremony was held as part of the seventh visit of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s ( Dakar 2026 Coordination Commission (CoCom) to Senegal. The training programme marks a key step in building local expertise ahead of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) and ensuring a strong human legacy from the first Olympic sports event on African soil. As part of the structured programme, participants receive 10 days of training delivered by the IOC, followed by five days of soft-skills development. Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, they gain essential knowledge in Games planning, sports and event operations, and functional area responsibilities. This equips them with the skills to support the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee (YOGOC), while helping to build long-term event delivery capacity across Senegal and the continent. Once their training is complete, participants will join the YOGOC, applying their skills directly to the coordination and delivery of the Youth Olympic Games. In total, more than 400 young professionals will be trained through nine cohorts between now and September 2026. Over half of the Dakar 2026 workforce is expected to be composed of Learning Academy alumni, demonstrating the central role this initiative is playing in delivering the Games. The first cohort of 41 young professionals began their training in late April. They were selected from a pool of 1,800 applicants through a rigorous recruitment process. During their visit, the Coordination Commission ( members observed the first cohort in training at the Learning Academy, where the participants' enthusiasm and engagement were clearly on display. The delegation later joined the uplifting launch ceremony, which was marked by heartfelt messages, infectious enthusiasm and a strong sense of purpose from the participants. The initiative reflects the Organising Committee's strong focus on people management and long-term legacy. It also supports broader efforts to embed youth empowerment at the heart of Dakar 2026. IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry ( congratulated the trainees and praised the impact of the initiative and the spirit of the first cohort. 'Next year, when we host the Youth Olympic Games, you are going to show the world what it is to be African, to feel African and to have that experience. You are ambassadors for the young generation of what the sporting movement can be, and the legacy the Youth Olympic Games can leave behind.' Humphrey Kayange ( Chair of the Dakar 2026 Coordination Commission, said: "On behalf of the entire Commission, we're truly excited and looking forward to engaging with you. We're confident in your ability to deliver. Together, we will bring these Games to life and celebrate the Youth Olympic Games in a uniquely African way. I wish you all the best as you begin working across different functional areas in the coming weeks. We're looking forward to your success and the success of the Games." Earlier during the CoCom meeting, Ibrahima Wade, General Coordinator of the YOGOC, emphasised the Academy's role in preparing the next generation of event professionals: 'At the Dakar 2026 Learning Academy, participants will receive appropriate support through tailored training modules and an environment where sport and Olympism will contribute to their professional development, based around the values of friendship, excellence and respect. These young recruits will go on to play an active role in delivering the first Youth Olympic Games in Africa.' The Learning Academy is part of a broader suite of legacy initiatives led by the Organising Committee to ensure that Dakar 2026 leaves a lasting impact on young people across Senegal and the African continent. The YOG Dakar 2026 will take place for two weeks from 31 October, bringing together the world's best young athletes up to the age of 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).
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Momentum Builds Towards Historic Dakar 2026 YOG
International Olympic Committee news NORTHAMPTON, MA / / April 23, 2025 / With the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) now less than two years away, Dakar 2026 presented its latest progress report to the 144th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session. The report highlighted key developments in preparation for the first Olympic sports event on African soil. The report underscored progress in venue construction and refurbishment, workforce development, and the growing momentum of youth engagement initiatives across Senegal. A major highlight was the successful delivery of the third edition of the Dakar en Jeux Festival in November 2024. The celebration of sport, culture and education saw thousands of young people engaged in sporting activities across the three host communities of Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, while also featuring an international U16 3x3 basketball tournament and health workshops for local children. Plans are underway for the next edition in late 2025, which will coincide with the "One Year to Go" milestone and serve as an important testing opportunity for the YOG. The Dakar 2026 Organising Committee (YOGOC) continues to strengthen its workforce by incorporating valuable knowledge from the Olympic Games Paris 2024, where staff members were able to gain first-hand experience in the planning and execution of a major international sports event. The YOGOC is also expanding its team, with recruitment efforts bolstered by the newly launched Learning Academy. This initiative will train up to 400 young professionals, equipping them with essential skills to support the delivery of the Dakar 2026 YOG, while creating a lasting legacy of experienced event organisers in Senegal and across Africa. Infrastructure preparations for the YOG remain on track, with refurbishment work launched at key urban venues in Dakar and construction progressing at the equestrian centre and the Youth Olympic Village in Diamniadio. The completed venue master plan includes seven venues across the three host zones that will accommodate competition sites. Additionally, Dakar 2026 has strengthened its commercial programme, announcing its first domestic sponsorship deal with telecommunications company Sonatel. Excitement for the Games is also growing with the launch of the mascot design process, which saw nearly 500 schoolchildren from across Senegal take part in a nationwide competition. The official mascot is set to be unveiled in June 2025 to mark 500 days to go until the Games. Speaking about the energy surrounding Dakar 2026, YOGOC President Mamadou Ndiaye said: "Senegal is honoured, on behalf of Africa, to welcome the world to the first Olympic Games held on the continent. From the outset, our approach has been focused on inclusion and sharing. This inclusive dimension, inspired by our slogan 'Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates', is reflected in every stage of the preparations." The YOG Dakar 2026 will take place for two weeks from 31 October, bringing together the world's best young athletes. The Games will be held across three host sites (Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly). View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from International Olympic Committee on Contact Info:Spokesperson: International Olympic CommitteeWebsite: info@ SOURCE: International Olympic Committee View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
Zawya
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
Senegal prepares to host Africa's first Olympic event: the Youth Olympic Games 2026
Senegal will welcome the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026, the first Olympic sporting event to be held on African soil. Dakar 2026 will take place over two weeks from 31 October 2026, bringing together 2,700 of the best young athletes from around the world. The YOG will be held in three host sites (Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly), and are envisioned to serve as a catalyst to transform Senegal through sport, while also aiming to inspire new hope, opportunities and confidence among young people across Africa and become a blueprint for future YOG hosts. This approach is embodied in the Games' motto, 'Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates', which underscores the uniqueness of this YOG edition: Senegal is the first African country to host an Olympic sports event. The Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (YOGOC) emphasises that the YOG will be an event for the entire African continent. Please click here to view the video: In creating the motto, Dakar 2026 showed its desire to develop a brand that highlights its unique vision for the YOG, seeking to create an event that combines the Senegalese Teranga – the host nation's generosity of spirit and hospitality – with sport, youth, hope and celebration. Thirty-five International Federations (IFs) will be involved in these Games, with 25 sports featuring on the competition programme and 10 to be part of the engagement programme. Dakar 2026 will showcase one discipline from each of the 25 sports on the competition programme. These are athletics (track and field), aquatics (swimming), archery, badminton, baseball (Baseball5), basketball (3x3), boxing, breaking, cycling (road cycling), equestrian (jumping), fencing, football (futsal), gymnastics (artistic), handball (beach handball), judo, rowing (coastal rowing), rugby (rugby sevens), sailing, skateboarding (street), table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, volleyball (beach volleyball), wrestling (beach wrestling) and wushu. Additionally, Dakar 2026 will feature an engagement programme showcasing 10 sports: canoe-kayak, golf, hockey, karate, modern pentathlon, shooting, sport climbing, surfing, tennis and weightlifting. These will not feature in the competition programme but will be promoted through interactive activities on site and via digital platforms, emphasising their role as integral components and an official part of the YOG. In total, the Games will feature 151 events – split equally between men and women, with 72 events for each, alongside seven mixed-gender events. For the first time in the history of the Summer YOG, full gender equality will be achieved – not only in the overall athlete quota but also across every sport, discipline and event. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Olympic Commitee.
Zawya
30-01-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
Dolomiti Valtellina to host the 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games, International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirms
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially selected Dolomiti Valtellina of Italy, as the host for the 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG). The announcement was made during the 143rd IOC Extraordinary Session, held in Lausanne, Switzerland. The session was streamed live on the IOC Media's YouTube channel. HOST CITY VOTE FOR 2028 WINTER YOG The selection of Dolomiti Valtellina followed a comprehensive evaluation. On December 3, 2024, the IOC Executive Board recommended Dolomiti Valtellina after a targeted dialogue with the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) and its partners, which began in July 2024. The final decision was confirmed by IOC members through a formal vote during the session. ANCHORING ON MILANO-CORTINA LEGACY Dolomiti Valtellina's successful bid is anchored in the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics commitment to sustainability and youth engagement. The project leverages the existing infrastructure from the 2026 winter event, ensuring cost-efficiency and environmental responsibility. The key priorities of the organizing committee include: Maximizing the use of existing Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic venues. Promoting sustainable event management. Encouraging youth participation in winter sports. Enhancing social engagement and leadership. Strengthening international unity and friendship. State-of-the-Art Venues. STATE OF THE ART VENUES The master plan incorporates existing venues in Valtellina, Val di Fiemme, and Cortina, utilizing seven of the 11 competition sites used during Milano-Cortina 2026. The Future Host Commission endorsed the plan, with Commission Chair Karl Stoss stating: 'Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 is founded on a strong vision, clear legacy goals, and a well-structured venue plan' ( FEATURED SPORTS&PARTICIPATION The 2028 Winter YOG program will feature biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating, and skiing, with a maximum athlete quota of 1,900. In collaboration with international sports federations, the IOC Executive Board will finalize the event program and athlete quotas within a year to optimize costs and logistics. Additionally, the Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee (YOGOC) may propose new sports for inclusion. Catch the full session and official announcements here: Watch the IOC 143rd Session Live recording: Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Sports Press Association (AIPS).
