The excitement is steadily building across West Africa.
Ayo, the official mascot of Dakar 2026, made a symbolic appearance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy.
The meeting highlighted Olympic unity.
Ayo joined Tina, mascot of Milano Cortina 2026 in the historic city of Milan.
The two mascots met at the iconic Piazza del Duomo in front of the majestic Castello Sforzesco, delighting fans from around the world.
The visit forms part of activities marking the countdown to Dakar 2026, which will soon reach the milestone of 250 days to go.
Organisers say the symbolic encounter between Ayo and Tina reflects the shared Olympic values of joy, unity and cultural exchange.
Ayo, a young lion whose name means “joy” in Yoruba, represents the energy and ambition of Senegalese youth.
During his stay in Milan, he experienced firsthand how the Olympic Games transform a host city, bringing together diverse cultures, igniting celebration, and inspiring dreams among young people.
Tina, one of the stoat siblings symbolising the Italian Winter Games, embodies resilience and inclusion, values that resonate strongly with the Youth Olympic spirit.
Their meeting bridged two continents, underscoring the global nature of the Olympic Movement.
While in Milan, Ayo also paid courtesy visits to Worldwide Olympic Partners such as TCL and Samsung to strengthen ties ahead of Dakar’s historic hosting.
Dakar 2026 will make history as the first Olympic sporting event ever staged on African soil.
The Games will bring together approximately 2,700 young athletes aged up to 17, competing across three host zones — Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly.
For The Gambia and the wider West African region, Senegal’s hosting of Dakar 2026 represents a moment of continental pride and opportunity.
With just months to go before the world’s youth gather in Dakar, preparations are intensifying and the message is clear from the snowy peaks of Italy to the vibrant streets of Senegal, where young people remain at the heart of the Olympic dream.
