Social media influencer Khaby Lame has been named an ambassador for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.
Lame, an Italian Senegalese content creator with one of the world’s largest online followings, joins a group of Dakar 2026 ambassadors that includes actor Omar Sy, Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly and influencer Eva Neymar.
Lame was officially appointed on March 26 in Dakar and would play a key role in promoting the Games, particularly among young audiences in Africa and abroad.
“This commitment reflects my desire to support young African talent,” Lame said. “Dakar 2026 will allow Africa to showcase the best of itself and inspire young people around the world.”
Lame rose to global prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic through short, wordless videos that parody complicated online tutorials, helping him amass hundreds of millions of followers across social media platforms.
Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, President of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee, said Lame’s appointment highlighted growing international interest in the event.
“Dakar 2026 is attracting figures who want to help make this Games a global success,” Ndiaye said.
Organisers said Lame would take part in key events, including the Youth Olympic Games torch relay across Senegal, and would support initiatives aimed at strengthening the social and inclusive impact of the Games, including outreach to towns such as Mbacké, where he was born.
The Youth Olympic Games would be held in Dakar in 2026 following a postponement from 2025 and are expected to bring together thousands of young athletes from around the world.
