IOC Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Young Reporters Programme for Aspiring Sports Journalists (Fully Funded)

Application Deadline: 30 November 2025

Applications are now open for the IOC Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Young Reporters Programme. Sixteen talented young sports journalists from around the world will be selected to join this fully funded immersive training opportunity, which will take place during the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The IOC Young Reporters Programme, launched at the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore 2010, is a flagship initiative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) designed to train and inspire the next generation of sports journalists. The programme has since been a core feature of every YOG edition and is coordinated by IOC Media Operations.

About the IOC Young Reporters Programme

Participants gain hands-on training and mentorship from leading sports media professionals, equipping them with the skills to cover major international sporting events, including the Olympic Games. During the YOG, participants receive intensive instruction in:

Sports writing and reporting
Photography
Broadcasting
Social media journalism

The training also emphasizes how to produce accurate, engaging, and human-interest stories under tight deadlines, while upholding fairness and journalistic integrity.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Be aged 21–25 at the time of the programme (born between 2001 and 2005)
Be proficient in English
Be a student or young professional in journalism, media, or photography

Logistics & Benefits (Fully Funded)

The IOC will provide:

Economy airfare
Twin-share accommodation
All meals
Full tuition and mentorship from experienced media professionals
IOC uniform for participants

Application Process

Applicants must apply via the official online portal and submit the following:

Curriculum Vitae (CV/Resume)
Motivation Letter (1 page, font size 12, double-spaced)
Copy of Passport
Certificate of Enrollment (if currently a student)
Two professional reference letters (with contact details)
Portfolio of work
Proof of published work (if applicable)
Recent photo of applicant (solo, not a group photo)

How to Apply

Interested candidates should prepare all required documents and complete the application before the deadline.

For full details and application guidelines, visit the Official Webpage of the IOC Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Young Reporters Programme.

Deadline: 30 November 2025