The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has invited fans and artists from around the world to design the medals for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026.
The winning design will appear on the front of the medals awarded to athletes at the Games, the first Olympic event ever held on African soil. Entries are open from 2 September to 7 October 2025 on Olympics.com.
Youth Olympic Games background
Launched in 2010 in Singapore, the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) bring together athletes aged 15 to 18. They combine elite sport with cultural and educational programmes, aiming to inspire young people through competition, workshops and community engagement.
The YOG are staged every four years, alternating between summer and winter editions. Previous hosts include Nanjing in 2014, Buenos Aires in 2018, and Lausanne for the Winter Games in 2020.
Dakar 2026 – a first for Africa
Dakar 2026 will mark a historic first for the Olympic movement, as no Games have ever been held on African soil. Senegal was awarded the event in 2018, beating Botswana, Nigeria and Tunisia in the bidding process.
The Games were originally scheduled for 2022 but were postponed to 2026 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, making them the first Olympic event in history to be delayed for reasons unrelated to war.
Thousands of young athletes are expected to compete across more than 30 sports in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly. Venues include the Dakar Arena, Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium and new facilities being built for the occasion.
A creative opportunity
The IOC said the medal design competition gives “creatives and fans” the chance to leave their mark on Olympic history. The winning artwork will be seen worldwide when athletes step on the podium in Senegal.
