The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Young Reporters Programme is an exceptional opportunity for aspiring journalists to launch their careers in international sports media. This fully funded initiative combines world-class training, hands-on reporting experience, and mentorship from leading media professionals—all culminating in on-site coverage of the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.
Program Highlights
This is not just a typical journalism fellowship. The IOC Young Reporters Programme offers a two-year transformative journey that includes:
- Professional workshops and training sessions led by internationally acclaimed journalists and Olympic media experts
- Mentorship from top professionals in sports journalism
- On-site reporting at the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 in Senegal
- Multimedia storytelling experience across print, broadcast, digital, and social media platforms
- Global exposure through IOC media platforms and channels
- Networking opportunities with sports media professionals from around the world
Who Can Apply?
Geographic Eligibility: Worldwide
Yes, this program is open to candidates from National Olympic Committees across the entire world. This is a truly international opportunity with participants selected from all continents.
Age Requirement
- You must be between 20 and 28 years old at the time of application
Background and Experience
You should have a background in one or more of the following areas:
- Journalism (print, broadcast, digital, or multimedia)
- Communications or Media Studies
- Demonstrated through either academic study or professional experience
You do not need to be a seasoned professional, but you should have some foundation in journalism or media work—whether through coursework, internships, student media, freelance work, or early-career positions.
Language Requirements
- Strong proficiency in English OR French is required
- You must be able to work effectively in at least one of these languages
Essential Qualities
The IOC is looking for candidates who demonstrate:
- Strong motivation to pursue a career in sports journalism
- Passion for sports and Olympic values
- Ability to work in fast-paced environments with tight deadlines
- Cultural adaptability and comfort working in multicultural, international teams
- Technical aptitude for multimedia storytelling
Important: National Olympic Committee Nomination
Applications must be endorsed by your National Olympic Committee (NOC). This means you’ll need to:
- Contact your country’s National Olympic Committee
- Express your interest in the program
- Coordinate with them for official nomination
- Submit your application materials through the proper channels
What You’ll Experience
Phase 1: Training and Development
Over the course of two years leading up to Dakar 2026, you’ll participate in:
- Intensive workshops covering sports journalism fundamentals
- Multimedia skills training (video, audio, photography, writing, social media)
- Mentorship sessions with experienced sports journalists
- Remote assignments to build your portfolio
- Collaborative projects with fellow Young Reporters from around the world
Phase 2: Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026
The pinnacle of the program is your on-site experience in Dakar, Senegal, where you’ll:
- Cover live sporting events across multiple disciplines
- Produce multimedia content in real-time
- Work alongside international media in Olympic press facilities
- Interview athletes, coaches, and officials
- File stories across multiple platforms (written articles, video packages, social media content, podcasts, and more)
- Experience the Olympic atmosphere firsthand while developing professional-level content
Fully Funded Benefits
This program covers everything you need to participate:
Financial Support
- All travel expenses to and from training sessions and the Youth Olympic Games
- Full accommodation during training periods and throughout Dakar 2026
- Meals and daily expenses covered
- No program fees – completely free to selected participants
Professional Development
- World-class training from Olympic media experts
- One-on-one mentorship tailored to your development needs
- Access to IOC media platforms for publishing your work
- International exposure and portfolio-building opportunities
- Press credentials and access to Olympic venues and facilities
Career Benefits
- Professional network in international sports journalism
- Published work with global reach
- Experience with Olympic-level media operations
- References and connections with leading journalists
- Career guidance for post-program opportunities
Application Requirements
To apply for the IOC Young Reporters Programme, you’ll need to prepare:
Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae (CV/Resume)
- Include your education, relevant experience, skills, and achievements
- Highlight any journalism, media, or communications work
- Personal Motivation Statement
- Explain why you want to participate in this program
- Describe your career goals in sports journalism
- Share what makes you a strong candidate
- Demonstrate your passion for sports and storytelling
- Portfolio of Journalistic Work
- Submit samples that showcase your best work
- Can include: written articles, video reports, podcasts, photography, social media campaigns, or multimedia projects
- Quality matters more than quantity—choose pieces that demonstrate your potential
- If you have limited professional work, academic projects or student journalism are acceptable
Application Process
- Contact your National Olympic Committee (NOC) to inform them of your interest and begin the nomination process
- Prepare all required documents (CV, motivation statement, work samples)
- Complete the online application through the official Smartsheet form provided by the IOC
- Submit by November 30, 2025 – late applications will not be accepted
- Coordinate with your NOC for official endorsement of your nomination
Timeline
- November 30, 2025: Application deadline
- Early 2026: Selection notifications
- 2026–2027: Training workshops and mentorship phase
- 2026: Youth Olympic Games Dakar (exact dates to be confirmed)
Who Should Apply?
This program is perfect for:
- Journalism students ready to transition into professional sports media
- Early-career journalists looking to specialize in sports coverage
- Communications graduates passionate about Olympic sports
- Young media professionals seeking international experience
- Aspiring sports reporters from any country with an NOC
- Multimedia storytellers eager to develop cross-platform skills
- Anyone aged 20–28 with journalism experience and a dream of covering the Olympics
Why This Program Matters
The IOC Young Reporters Programme is more than just a fellowship—it’s a career launchpad. Past participants have gone on to:
- Cover Olympic Games as credentialed journalists
- Work for major international sports media organizations
- Build successful careers in sports broadcasting and journalism
- Create their own sports media platforms and ventures
- Become voices for underrepresented communities in sports coverage
This program specifically aims to diversify sports journalism by bringing talented young voices from all corners of the world into Olympic media coverage.
Important Notes
- Work with your NOC early: Don’t wait until the deadline to contact your National Olympic Committee
- Language skills matter: Ensure your English or French proficiency is strong enough for professional journalism work
- Showcase your potential: Even if you don’t have extensive professional experience, demonstrate your passion, creativity, and commitment
- Multimedia is key: The program emphasizes cross-platform storytelling, so versatility is valued
- Cultural intelligence counts: Show that you can work effectively in diverse, international environments
Questions?
For detailed information about the application process, program structure, and requirements, visit the official IOC Young Reporters Programme website.
To find your National Olympic Committee contact information, visit the IOC’s official NOC directory.
For technical questions about the Smartsheet application form, contact the IOC directly through the information provided on their website.
Don’t Miss This Opportunity
The IOC Young Reporters Programme represents a once-in-a-lifetime chance to:
- Cover a major international sporting event
- Learn from the best in sports journalism
- Build a global professional network
- Launch your career in sports media
- Experience the Olympic movement firsthand
If you’re between 20 and 28, passionate about sports journalism, and ready for an unforgettable professional journey, start your application today.
Deadline: November 30, 2025
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