Laye Samb, Canadian-based Senegalese artist, creates official poster for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

Samb, a Dakar native who has resided in Canada for two years, maintains a strong connection to Senegal. He describes sports in Senegal as having "the color of the ocean, the warmth of the sun, and the rhythm of an unforgettable journey." Samb's artistic journey began with an early attraction to drawing, painting, sculpture, and DIY.

He pursued a career in art, earning a graphic arts certificate in 2003 and graduating from the Dakar School of Fine Arts in 2017. For over twenty years, he has worked in advertising communication, packaging design, and publishing, illustrating books and educational materials. Samb also exhibits his artwork, often honoring Senegal and promoting his home country.

He welcomes the Dakar 2026 YOG, the first Olympic sporting event in Africa, scheduled from October 31 to November 13, stating, "the energy of the whole world meets the soul of Senegal." He hopes that in two decades, viewers of his poster will feel "immense joyful nostalgia" and see it as a testament to "a pivotal moment when African youth shone on the international stage." Samb's work continues the tradition of Olympic posters, aiming to immortalize Senegal's identity and African youth on the global stage, evoking the sounds, colors, and joyful scenes of Dakar's streets, the waves, and the optimism of an inspi