History will be made when the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 open in Senegal later this month, becoming the first Olympic event of any kind to be staged on African soil. For more than 2,700 young athletes from 207 countries, the Games represent an opportunity to compete on the global stage. For technology giant Samsung, they are also an opportunity to help redefine how those athletes experience the Olympics.
As a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, Samsung has announced a wide-ranging programme that combines mobile innovation, athlete support initiatives and community engagement activities aimed at enriching the Dakar 2026 experience both inside and outside the competition venues.
The Games, taking place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, mark a major milestone for Africa’s sporting landscape and for a continent seeking to showcase its ability to host global mega-events.
“The Youth Olympic Games represent an important stage in a young athlete’s journey, where competition, connection and personal growth come together,” said Stephanie Choi, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Brand Centre at Samsung Electronics.
“At Dakar 2026, we are committed to bringing the Games to more people and enriching the experience for the athletes who take part through purposeful Galaxy innovation and programmes designed around their needs.”
Bringing mobile technology to the Olympic stage
Building on innovations introduced at the Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, Samsung will integrate its latest Galaxy devices into competition coverage for the first time at a Youth Olympic Games.
The company’s Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphones will be used alongside traditional broadcast cameras in sports such as skateboarding and taekwondo, creating closer, athlete-centred perspectives and vertical video content designed for a mobile-first generation of viewers.
Samsung says the initiative will also serve as a testing ground for future Olympic broadcasting innovations ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
One of the most visible additions will be the debut of the Olympic Victory Selfie programme at a Youth Olympic Games. Using specially designed Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition devices, medal winners will be able to capture and instantly share celebratory moments with friends, family and supporters across the globe.
The programme has become one of the signature athlete experiences of recent Olympic Games, offering competitors a personal and authentic way to mark career-defining achievements.
Supporting athletes beyond competition
While medals will dominate headlines, Samsung’s Dakar strategy extends beyond sport.
At the heart of the Youth Olympic Village, the company is creating a dedicated Samsung Open Station, a social and creative space where athletes can relax, network and reflect on their Olympic journeys.
The venue will host a variety of interactive experiences, including:
Victory Talk, where athletes record short videos about their experiences and future ambitions;
Victory Wall, allowing competitors to create personalised Olympic-themed digital artwork;
Victory Photo Zone, recreating the excitement of stepping onto the medal podium;
Community Lounge, designed to encourage friendships and cultural exchange among athletes; and
Beyond the Medal, a mentoring programme featuring Olympians and International Olympic Committee athlete role models who will share lessons on life after competition.
The emphasis reflects a growing recognition that young athletes need support not only as competitors, but also as students, future professionals and community leaders.
Extending the Games into local communities
Samsung’s involvement will also extend beyond the athletes’ village and sports venues.
Across Senegal, the company is rolling out public engagement campaigns, consumer experience zones and retail activations aimed at bringing local communities closer to the Games.
Fans will have opportunities to explore Galaxy technology, participate in interactive sports challenges and engage with AI-powered experiences inspired by the Olympic movement.
A city-wide collector’s pin programme and special in-store promotions are also planned as part of efforts to ensure Dakar residents share in the excitement surrounding Africa’s first Olympic event.
A landmark moment for Africa
For Senegal and the wider continent, Dakar 2026 represents more than a sporting spectacle.
The Youth Olympic Games provide Africa with an unprecedented opportunity to showcase its sporting talent, organisational capability and youthful population to a global audience.
Samsung’s expanded role highlights how technology is increasingly becoming part of the Olympic experience, helping athletes tell their stories, connect across cultures and preserve memories that extend far beyond the competition arena.
As the Olympic flame arrives in Africa for the first time, Dakar 2026 is set to be remembered not only for the medals won, but for the young athletes whose journeys are just beginning.
©Higher Education Media Services.