The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games showcased inspiring stories of determination and talent, with young athletes finding on the podium the reward for years of preparation. Among them were representatives from Senegal in taekwondo, judo and 3×3 basketball, who won medals to the excitement of the local crowd. Behind several of these achievements was the support of Olympic Solidarity, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) program aimed at strengthening sports development and creating opportunities for new generations.
Through scholarships, training camps and development programs, this initiative supported athletes from different countries on their journey to competition. Its impact was evident in Dakar, where athletes from more than 15 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) who took part in Youth Athlete Development (YAD) initiatives won medals across several disciplines. This demonstrates how access to better training opportunities can turn the aspirations of young talents into tangible achievements in international sport.
Alexandra Chiron: a medal that fuels the dream of Los Angeles 2028
One of the stories that highlighted the reach of this support was that of Alexandra Chiron, a judoka from Moldova and one of the 13 athletes awarded Olympic Solidarity scholarships at Dakar 2026 as part of their preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Her participation began with a special honor: she was selected to carry her country’s flag during the Opening Ceremony. Days later, on November 2, she won the bronze medal in the women’s -52 kg category, turning her experience at the Games into a milestone in her sporting career.
“I never imagined that, at such a young age, I could achieve such an important result. Representing the Republic of Moldova at the Youth Olympic Games was a great honor and a dream come true,” the athlete said. Her scholarship provided access to resources covering training, equipment and qualification competition expenses, all essential elements for developing her potential. Olympic Solidarity currently supports 1,586 athletes from 182 National Olympic Committees on their journey to Los Angeles 2028, providing them with the tools to compete under better conditions, regardless of their backgrounds or their countries’ resources.
From youth athlete development to podium success
The impact of Olympic Solidarity at Dakar 2026 was also reflected through the Youth Athlete Development (YAD) program, which enabled athletes from different parts of the world to participate in training camps, workshops and preparation activities alongside International Federations and National Olympic Committees. Since 2025, this initiative has supported 378 projects across 185 NOCs, including 149 initiatives in 53 African NOCs. Overall, athletes from 21 of the 25 sports featured at Dakar 2026 benefited from these opportunities, while representatives from more than 15 NOCs won medals in disciplines such as athletics, fencing, boxing, rugby sevens, table tennis, sailing and beach wrestling.
Senegal was one of the countries where this work produced particularly meaningful results. In taekwondo, Marie Sarr won gold in the women’s -55 kg category after taking part in three training camps organized by World Taekwondo, with the support of Olympic Solidarity, between 2024 and 2026. The athlete used her achievement to share an inspiring message with younger generations: “Girls, you have to get involved, you have to practice sports, because sports are not just for boys; they are for girls too.” The achievements of Senegal’s 3×3 basketball teams added to this success, with the men’s team winning gold and the women’s team claiming bronze on November 9, following their participation in a Youth Elite Training Camp organized by FIBA in Dakar in 2025. These experiences demonstrate how sports development support can also create opportunities for participation, strengthen confidence and bring more young people closer to the opportunities offered by the Olympic Movement.
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