The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is set to relaunch its acclaimed Young Reporters Programme at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, with a modernized format tailored to the demands of contemporary sports journalism.
Since its debut at Singapore 2010, the initiative has trained 125 young talents from 68 countries, equipping them with the skills and experience to build international media careers. An independent review in 2025 by Dr. Jessie Wilkie of the University of Canberra highlighted its impact: 63% of participants went on to work at the Olympic Games, while one-third collaborated directly with the IOC. The report praised the programme as “a highly effective and supportive journalism training initiative” and recommended updates to align with today’s rapidly evolving media landscape.
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The Dakar 2026 edition reflects these recommendations after 15 years of participant feedback and industry insights. Under the mentorship of senior Olympic media professionals, the selected Young Reporters will receive comprehensive training across print journalism, photography, broadcasting, and social media. They will gain hands-on experience in mixed zones and press conferences, reporting on competitions and cultural activities while learning to craft compelling human-interest stories, edit multimedia, meet tight deadlines, and apply data analysis in sports coverage. All stories, photos, and video packages will be published on official platforms, giving participants international exposure. The standout performer will be honoured with the Steve Parry Award.
Applications are now open for candidates aged 21 to 25 with backgrounds in journalism, photography, or broadcasting. The deadline is 30 November 2025, with successful applicants announced by February 2026. Candidates must be fluent in English and submit a portfolio and professional references. In parallel, organising committees of upcoming Olympic and Youth Olympic Games – including Dakar 2026, Dolomiti Valtellina 2028, Los Angeles 2028, French Alps 2030 and Brisbane 2032 – will nominate participants to ensure broad representation across the Olympic Movement.
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will run from 31 October to 13 November 2026, hosted across Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly. Bringing together the world’s best athletes aged up to 17, the Games will be a historic milestone for Africa, blending sport, culture, and education. By renewing the Young Reporters Programme, the IOC reinforces its commitment to the next generation of storytellers, equipping them to cover sport in an increasingly digital and global media landscape.
