The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has opened a global call for designers and Olympic enthusiasts to create the obverse side of the medals for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). This competition provides a unique opportunity for individuals to leave a lasting mark on Olympic history, with the winning design to be featured on medals awarded to athletes in Senegal.

Latest Developments

The submission period for designs runs from September 2 to October 7, 2025. Interested participants can submit their entries through a dedicated platform on Olympics.com, where a comprehensive toolkit with design guidelines, specifications, and rules is available. A distinguished panel will evaluate submissions based on creativity, originality, relevance to the YOG narrative, feasibility, and the accompanying written description.

Context of the Games

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, scheduled from October 31 to November 13, 2026, will be a landmark event as the first Olympic sports event to be held on African soil. Originally slated for 2022, the Games were postponed to 2026 due to the operational and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, themed "Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates," aims to inspire and transform Senegal while showcasing Africa's growing role in the Olympic Movement.

Stakeholders and Evaluation

The judging panel for the medal design competition includes prominent figures such as Humphrey Kayange OLY, Chair of the IOC Dakar 2026 Coordination Commission; Dante Akira Uwai, winner of the Gangwon 2024 medal design competition; 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. Their recommendations will be presented to the IOC Executive Board for final approval.

Evidence and Data

• Submission Period: September 2 to October 7, 2025.
• Host Cities: Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly, Senegal.
• Games Dates: October 31 to November 13, 2026.
• Participants: Approximately 2,700 young athletes, all under 17 years old.
• Motto: "Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates" (L'Afrique accueille, Dakar célèbre in French and Afrig Dalal, Ndakaaru Jëmël in Wolof).
• Medal Design Tradition: The obverse medal design competition has been a feature since the Singapore 2010 YOG, attracting over 3,000 entries for the Gangwon 2024 edition.

Risks and Implications

While the medal design competition fosters global engagement, analysts suggest that the broader development of the Dakar 2026 Games could influence near-term public debate and policy execution. Stakeholders are urging clarity on timelines, costs, and safeguards to ensure the successful and impactful delivery of the event. The postponement from 2022 to 2026 highlights the complexities of hosting such a large-scale international event.

What to Watch

The progress of infrastructure preparations for the Games remains a key area to watch. Refurbishment work has commenced at urban venues in Dakar, and construction is ongoing at the equestrian centre and the Youth Olympic Village in Diamniadio. The integration of Senegalese cultural elements on the reverse side of the medal, developed by the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee, will also be a significant aspect to observe, showcasing the nation's rich heritage.