Known for his roles in various successful productions, actor Omar Sy joins the list of personalities chosen to shine a spotlight on the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on the international stage.
Does he still need an introduction? At 47, Omar Sy is one of the most recognizable faces in French cinema. Since his role in the 2011 film The Intouchables, in which he plays Driss, a young man hired to care for a wealthy paraplegic, his career has reached new heights.
With a string of film shoots, awards, and promotions for his latest productions under his belt, Omar Sy is not just a pure product of cinema: he is also deeply committed to numerous social causes in support of young people and champions the emergence of African cinema.
Ambassador of Teranga
Currently starring in the hit Netflix series Lupin, Omar Sy has just accepted another role: ambassador for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
« Je suis fier et honoré d’être ambassadeur des Jeux Olympiques de la Jeunesse qui auront lieu en 2026 au Sénégal. Ces Jeux représentent des valeurs qui me tiennent à cœur : le partage, la solidarité, le dépassement de soi, et les rencontres interculturelles’’, a-t-il déclaré après sa nomination. ‘‘Voir la jeunesse du Sénégal et du monde entier briller ensemble sur les terres de la Teranga, c’est un symbole fort d’unité et d’espoir’’, a aussi ajouté Omar Sy.
Committed to Senegal's development
As ambassador for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, Omar Sy will be expected to embody the Olympic values – Excellence, Respect, Friendship – on a national and international scale and promote all aspects of the competition: cultural, educational, and sporting.
There is no doubt that the movie star, born in France to Senegalese parents, will succeed in this endeavor. In recent years, Omar Sy has drawn inspiration from his Senegalese roots to create productions such as Yao (2018) and Tirailleurs (Father & Soldier) (2022).
In early January, Omar Sy was received by the Head of State, His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, at the presidential palace. The meeting was already aimed at highlighting his commitment to the development of Senegal.
From October 31 to November 13, 2026, 2,700 athletes under the age of 18 from around the world will gather in Dakar, Saly, and Diamniadio to participate in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. A total of 35 sports will be featured during the first-ever Olympic event held in Africa.
