South Africa’s Khotso Mokoena has been named as one of six athletes from around the world selected as IOC Believe in Sport Ambassadors for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The Believe in Sport campaign is an IOC initiative to raise awareness among athletes, their entourage members, and officials of the threat of competition manipulation.
For the 2700 young athletes at Dakar 2026, the YOG will be not only about competition, but also learning what it takes to become an elite athlete and succeed in life beyond sport.
Mokoena is a four-time Team SA Olympian (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 – silver medal, London 2012 and Rio 2016).
“Sport is built on integrity, fairness, respect, and trust, Every young athlete deserves the opportunity to compete through talent, hard work and ethical decision-making,” said Mokoena.
As part of the AEP, the six Ambassadors will guide athletes and entourage members through a playful learning activity that puts them in hypothetical scenarios involving betting, fixing and the sharing of insider information, encouraging participants to consider the consequences of their choices and determine the best reaction in each case.
Photo: Supplied