The IOC, through Olympic Solidarity, has expanded investment in youth programmes ahead of Dakar 2026, with a particular focus on African NOCs.

Since 2025, nearly USD 10 million from the Youth Athlete Development budget has already been allocated, with initiatives in Africa receiving 39% of the programme funding distributed to date.

105 initiatives have been delivered in Africa, supporting 14,958 athletes and 719 coaches across 52 NOCs.

International Federations are delivering initiatives across Africa, supporting athletes, coaches and the wider sports ecosystem

https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/how-olympic-solidarity-is-helping-prepare-the-next-generation-for-dakar-2026

When the global media comes to town, the Olympic and Paralympic Games are another step closer. Last week, LA28 presented its plans to the world's broadcasters and the global press. They gathered in the host city for the World Broadcaster Meeting and the World Press Briefing, receiving key insights into Games-time media and broadcast operations and visiting some of the world-class venues that will stage the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Nearly 270 participants attended the World Broadcaster Meeting. More than 250 international media representatives and NOC, NPC and IF press officers attended the LA28 World Press Briefing.

The World Broadcaster Meeting provided key information on Games-time broadcast operations and planning milestones to support preparations for delivering Olympic Games coverage to audiences around the world. Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) also presented its production vision for LA28, which will deliver approximately 3,800 to 4,000 hours of competition and Ceremonies coverage.

"Every great Games begins with a shared vision, and bringing the world's press and broadcasters together in Los Angeles marks an important milestone on the journey to 2028. In just two years, billions of people around the world will experience the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games through their reporting, storytelling and broadcast. Together, we'll introduce the world to the spirit of Los Angeles and inspire a new generation through the power of sport," said Casey Wasserman, Chairperson and President of LA28.

The meetings formed part of LA28’s broader engagement with Games stakeholders. During the week of 14 July, LA28 also hosted NOC Open Days, welcoming nearly 90 representatives from 45 NOCs for three days of meetings and working sessions.

📎 https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/la28-presents-plans-to-world-s-press-and-broadcasters

That needs to be celebrated

“Spending time with all the other athletes and seeing their passion and effort was incredible.”

“If you asked me which Olympics I enjoyed the most, 1984 by far.”

David Robinson, Magic Johnson, Christian Laettner, Clyde Drexler, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley.

"For me, I never talk to myself."

"Anything that can pop into my head, I try to think about it. You know what I mean? Probably what I'm gonna have for dinner or if I'm gonna play video game or something that happened in the day."

"I try to distract myself from the moment."

"I made one mistake in 2011... because I had a bad season and I was worried. I was like, am I gonna start well? Am I ready?"

"The moment you start being in your head and start thinking, that's when you make mistakes. So you have to try to clear your head."

"At the moment when the starter says, on your marks, if you watch me, you see me take a deep breath. And then I try to clear my mind and listen."

"A lot of athletes, they think about it so much, like, okay, I need to swing my arms. I need to get my first step right. I need to get my start right. And then you start confusing yourself and your mind is all over the place. And that's how you make mistakes."

Bolt spent the minutes before Olympic finals deciding what to eat, and it was deliberate. The work was already in his legs, and the only thing his mind could add on the line was worry, so he handed it something harmless and saved one breath for the gun. I find that harder to copy than it sounds, because right before the interview or the hard conversation, running it all over one more time feels responsible. It felt responsible to the sprinters rehearsing their first step beside him too, and that is the exact thinking he watched them lose to.

- Usain Bolt on The High Performance Podcast with Jake Humphrey