Khaby Lame, the Italian-Senegalese content creator and TikTok’s most-followed account, has been named an official ambassador for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee announced. The appointment positions Lame alongside a group of existing ambassadors that includes actor Omar Sy, footballer Kalidou Koulibaly, and Eva Neymar.

The Games, scheduled to run from October 31 to November 13 in Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly, will mark the first Olympic sporting event held in Africa. The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee (YOGOC) expects to bring together approximately 2,700 athletes aged 17 or younger from around the world.

A Return to His Roots

Lame was born in Dakar in 2000 and raised in the Turin region of Italy after his family emigrated when he was an infant. His parents originate from Mbacké, a city in central-western Senegal. As part of his ambassadorial role, Lame will facilitate attendance at the Games for children from Mbacké.

Lame rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic after losing his factory job in Italy. His TikTok videos, built on silent humor and minimalist reactions to overly complicated life hacks, helped him build an audience now estimated at 360 million followers across social media platforms. He currently commands 162 million followers on TikTok alone.

“This commitment reflects my desire to support young African talent, both in sport and beyond,” Lame said following his official appointment on March 26 in Dakar. “Dakar 2026 will give our continent the opportunity to showcase the best of itself and inspire young people in Africa and around the world.”

Broader Ambassador Portfolio

The Dakar 2026 appointment adds to Lame’s growing portfolio of institutional partnerships. In February 2025, UNICEF designated him a Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on youth initiatives in Senegal. In November 2025, UN Tourism named him an ambassador at its General Assembly in Riyadh, where his role centers on responsible tourism, cultural heritage, and youth engagement.

Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, President of the Dakar 2026 YOGOC, cited Lame’s global reach as central to the appointment. “Khaby Lame’s involvement illustrates the incredible enthusiasm generated by this edition of the Games,” Ndiaye said. “Dakar 2026 is bringing together, inspiring and attracting talented individuals who want to help make this event a global success.”

Lame will participate in key pre-Games activities, including the Youth Olympic Torch Tour across Senegal.