Rayssa Leal Named Global Ambassador for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

DAKAR, Sept. 24, 2026 — Brazilian skateboarding star and two time Olympic medallist Rayssa Leal has been appointed Global Ambassador for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, taking on a role aimed at inspiring young athletes ahead of the historic event.

Dakar 2026 will be the first Olympic sporting event to take place on the African continent, with thousands of young athletes expected to gather in Senegal for the Games later this year.

Leal became a global sporting figure at a remarkably young age. She won a silver medal in skateboarding at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics before adding a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games.

Her rise from a young skateboarder to an Olympic medallist has made her an influential figure for young athletes, particularly those beginning their sporting journeys at an early age.

As Global Ambassador, Leal will help promote the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games internationally while sharing her experiences with athletes competing in Senegal. She is also expected to take part in activities designed to encourage young competitors and help them understand the opportunities offered by the Youth Olympic Games.

Leal said the appointment represented recognition of the effort and dedication that have shaped her career. She said she was proud of the opportunity to encourage children and young people through her experiences in sport.

The Brazilian athlete has spoken openly about the challenges of competing at an international level while still very young. Her rapid rise brought responsibilities that were unusual for someone of her age, but she believes those experiences helped her mature both personally and professionally.

Leal said young athletes should remain committed to their ambitions while remembering to enjoy the journey. She also stressed the importance of having supportive people around them and maintaining their identity away from competition.

For Leal, however, the Youth Olympic Games are about more than medals and results.

She believes the event provides young athletes with an opportunity to meet competitors from different countries, experience new cultures and develop friendships. Such interactions, she said, can help young people grow beyond sport and understand the role athletics can play in bringing communities together.

Dakar 2026 is expected to carry particular significance because of its location in Africa. Leal said hosting an Olympic event on the continent could encourage children to see sport as an achievable path and inspire them to become involved in disciplines they may not previously have considered.

She also hopes the Games will leave a lasting sporting legacy in Senegal and create greater opportunities for future generations of young athletes.

The appointment continues a tradition of Olympians supporting the Youth Olympic Games. Previous editions have involved prominent athletes including Eileen Gu, Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Michelle Wie, Yao Ming and Chad Le Clos.

Leal will also serve as one of 36 Athlete Role Models at Dakar 2026. In that capacity, she will mentor young competitors and share lessons from her own career through workshops and other activities during the Games.

Beyond her sporting responsibilities, Leal said she was looking forward to visiting Senegal and experiencing Dakar’s culture.

She described the opportunity to discover a new country and meet people from a different cultural background as an important part of the experience, reflecting the broader role of the Youth Olympic Games in connecting young people from around the world.

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13. Around 2,700 athletes aged 17 and under are expected to participate across three host areas: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.

For Leal, the Games will provide an opportunity to pass on the lessons of her own Olympic journey while encouraging a new generation to pursue sport with determination, confidence and a sense of community.

Courtesy: olympics