As the Olympic movement is preparing to break new land in 2026, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) launched a worldwide competition for the Medal for the Olympic Games in Dakar 2026 and urged fans and designers to contribute their creativity to the inheritance of the event. This initiative offers a unique opportunity for individuals around the world to leave their imprint in Olympic history.
The competition, which was opened from 2 to 7 September to October 7, 2025, encourages participants to present their visions to the front of the medal through a reserved platform at Olympics.com. There will be a comprehensive set of tools that could lead participants through technical requirements, sending rules and design instructions. Contributions will be assessed on the basis of five criteria: creativity, originality, importance for the Olympic Youth Story, the feasibility and quality of a written description explaining every work of art.
Who will choose the best?
The significant panel will review contributions, including the chairman of the Dakar 2026 coordination committee Humphrey Kayange, artists and Olympians Annabel Eyres, the previous winner of the Dante Akira Uwai and Dakar 2026 Ambassador Elzo Jamdong. Their selected finalist will be recommended to the IOC Executive Board for final approval. On the back of the medal will be created organizational committee Dakar 2026, which emphasizes the Senegalese culture and the Olympic spirit of youth.
Since the beginning of the tradition at the Olympic Games for Youth in Singapore 2010, the involvement of fans and designers has become a characteristic feature of games. Setsuko Fukuzawa’s “YES Youth Can” was an inauguration winning design that set a precedent for international participation. In the following editions, artists from Slovakia, Romania, Indonesia, New Zealand and Brazil have reached the center of attention on stage, reflecting the global reach and inclusive ethos of the Olympic Games for Youth.
The latest competition for the Gangwon 2024 was recorded by more than 3,000 from 120 nations, with Brazilian architect Dante Akira Uwai’s Design, “Sparkling Future”, finally. This extensive participation underlines the importance of creativity and youth perspective on continents and offers a platform for novice artists to influence the Olympic tradition.
Dakar 2026 stands as a milestone. These games were originally planned for 2022 and postponed for pandemic, these games take place in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, across more than 30 sports. Thousands of young athletes are expected to compete, their victory is reminiscent of a medal formed by a partially global community. The competition not only involves Olympic fans, but also celebrates the African debut as an Olympic host, emphasizes the local importance and international unity symbolized by games.
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Published:
Debodinna Chakracorty
Published on:
October 1, 2025
