YOG Dakar 2026: Volker Türk hails “a historic step”
On the eve of the opening of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights welcomes a historic milestone for the African continent and recalls that sport is a lever in the service of dignity and equality.
In a video broadcast before the launch of the YOG akar2026, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, sent a strong message to athletes, federations and the sporting world. He reminds us that sport can bring people together across borders, combat discrimination and allow every young person, whatever their origins, to participate, compete and feel included.
An Olympic first in Africa
Volker Türk first addressed the participants of this fourth summer edition of the Youth Games: “I greet the thousands of young athletes who will gather in Dakar, Senegal over the coming weeks. They made history by participating in the very first Olympic event organized in Africa. »
For him, this event goes beyond the sporting framework: “Sport carries with it a promise of dignity and equality for all, just like human rights. » He draws a principle from this: “Major sporting events should be accessible to everyone and take place everywhere. »
The High Commissioner paid tribute to those who are working to keep this promise “in the spirit of the Olympic Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. He also underlined what an athlete’s journey has in common with the fight for rights: “Sports success is based on tenacity, courage and determination to surpass oneself, whatever its origin. »
A generation facing great challenges
The message then turned to the challenges facing this generation: “Today’s young athletes are part of a generation that is already facing some of the major challenges of our time: the climate emergency, racism and discrimination, hate speech, inequality, conflict and the uncertainties linked to artificial intelligence. »
Volker Türk called for young people to be involved in decisions: “Young people demand a place at the decision-making table and the opportunity to contribute to the choices that will shape their future. Just like sport, human rights need committed people. »
The High Commissioner recalled the initiative he launched earlier in the year: “I launched the Global Alliance for Human Rights earlier this year to amplify the efforts of all people everywhere who defend human rights. »
He concluded with a direct invitation to the sporting world: “I hope that young people, athletes, federations and others from the sports world will join our Alliance. Don’t stand on the sidelines, get on the field, fight for rights, and I wish you every success for the Games. »
