Sidy Talla on the front page of Olympic Review thanks to a photo taken in Diamalaye November 2, 2026

Five years after photographing an athlete training on Diamalaye beach, Senegalese photographer Sidy Talla finds the same man in an image that is now on the cover of Olympic Review. A great recognition for this photography enthusiast, committed to immortalizing scenes of Dakar life.

Sometimes it takes an encounter, a look and a camera to write a beautiful story. Photographer Sidy Talla experiences it first hand. One of his photographs appears on the front page of Olympic Review, in an edition dedicated to the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026. A distinction which he welcomed in a publication on his social networks.

This cover represents a particular pride for those who have made it their vocation to document daily life in Dakar. From the streets to the beaches, including chance encounters, Sidy Talla strives to capture moments of life and tell the stories hidden behind her images. In this edition of the Olympic publication, his photos also feature those of photographer Badara Pereira.

But behind this professional recognition lies above all a story of reunion. The sportsman immortalized on the cover is not unknown to the photographer. According to a post on his Facebook page, their first meeting dates back to 2021, on Diamalaye beach. When he started out in photography, Sidy Talla got into the habit of going there with his camera to capture the scenes of life and the activities that punctuate the daily lives of Dakar residents.

That day, he saw the athlete training. Accompanied by his friend Sau Wass, he decided to approach him to ask permission to photograph him. Five years later, the two men find themselves in the same place. This time, one of the photographer’s images appears on the cover of an international Olympic publication.

For Sidy Talla, this story reminds us that photography is also a matter of patience, observation and encounters. “Sometimes you just need to go out with your camera, open your eyes and take the time to talk about what you see,” he emphasizes.

Beyond this consecration, the photographer wanted to spare a thought for all the people who have crossed his lens since his beginnings. A way of reminding us that behind each image there are faces, stories and moments of life which, sometimes, end up traveling well beyond their place of birth.

YEAR