ACCRA, Ghana – November 2026 – Samsung Electronics, a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, has announced that it is bringing Galaxy technology and athlete-centred programmes to the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 to enrich the experience of young athletes during an important stage in their Olympic journeys.
Taking place in Senegal from October 31 to November 13, Dakar 2026 has brought together more than 2,700 young athletes from 207 countries across 25 sports. The event marks a historic milestone as the first Olympic Games of any kind to be held on the African continent.
Samsung is drawing on nearly four decades of experience within the Olympic Movement to strengthen its commitment to the Youth Olympic Games, which dates back to the inaugural edition in Singapore in 2010.
“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,” she added.
Bringing Galaxy Innovation To Dakar 2026
Having introduced sports technology integrations at Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026, Samsung is now bringing these innovations to the Youth Olympic Games for the first time.
Galaxy S26 Ultra devices have been incorporated into skateboarding and taekwondo coverage alongside existing broadcast cameras, enabling handheld, close-up and vertical perspectives that complement traditional production.
Dakar 2026 is also providing an opportunity to test and learn from these applications as Samsung continues to explore how mobile technology can support future Games experiences, including on the road to the LA28 Games.
Another major feature of Samsung’s involvement is the introduction of the Olympic Victory Selfie at the Youth Olympic Games.
The programme, which made its debut at Paris 2024, has become an iconic expression of athlete celebration at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Centred on connection, emotion and self-expression, Victory Selfie gives athletes a more personal way to capture and share the moments that define their journeys.
Using Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition devices, medallists across different disciplines will have the opportunity to commemorate their winning moments through Victory Selfie activations around medal ceremonies.
The initiative is designed to create lasting memories of their achievements, which can be shared with friends, families and supporters around the world.
Supporting The Journeys Of Young Athletes
Beyond technology integration in sports coverage, Samsung is also creating opportunities for young athletes to connect, relax and express themselves during the Games.
At the Samsung Open Station inside the Youth Olympic Village, the company is providing a welcoming and relaxed space where athletes can step away from competition, meet peers from different countries and explore new ways to express themselves through Galaxy technology.
Inspired by Dakar’s coastal environment, the space brings together interactive activities designed to help athletes celebrate their individuality, create lasting memories and reflect on where their journeys may take them next.
Taking The Excitement Of Dakar 2026 To Local Communities
As part of its wider commitment to the Olympic Movement, Samsung is also extending the excitement of the Games beyond the competition venues and into communities across Senegal.
Dakar 2026 represents a significant milestone, not only as the first Olympic sporting event to be held on the African continent but also as another chapter in Samsung’s support for the Youth Olympic Games, which began with Singapore 2010.
Alongside its athlete-focused programmes, Samsung is engaging local communities through media, digital, retail and consumer activities designed to give more people an opportunity to participate in the excitement of the Games.
Out-of-home campaigns are spotlighting Dakar 2026 and Samsung’s activities across key locations in Dakar and other parts of Senegal. The company is also setting up consumer experience zones to bring the excitement of the Youth Olympic Games closer to local communities.
These spaces will give fans opportunities to explore Galaxy technology, participate in interactive sports and AI-powered challenges, and create their own Olympic-inspired moments.
Samsung is also working with domestic partners on retail initiatives for Dakar 2026, including special Galaxy offers and in-store activations.
In addition, a citywide pin programme spanning Samsung locations will encourage consumers to explore the Games and participate in various Samsung experiences across Dakar.
Together, these initiatives extend Samsung’s commitment to the Olympic Movement beyond the competition venues, supporting young athletes at the centre of the Games while creating more opportunities for local fans and communities to experience and celebrate this historic moment.
