Forrester Osei appointed as Athlete Role Model for the 2026 YOG in Dakar
Forrester Osei, the IWF Athletes Commission Chairman, has been officially selected as one of 31 Athlete Role Models for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, taking place in Dakar (SEN), from October 31 to November 13. Representing Ghana at international level, Osei won gold at the 2016 Commonwealth Championships, took part in several editions of the IWF World Championships, and has been elected Chair of the IWF Athletes Commission in December 2022. In this condition, he is also a full-voting member at the IWF Executive Board.
Since then, he has been a strong advocate for the lifters’ rights in the five continents, and was naturally chosen to represent the sport of Weightlifting in the Senegalese Olympic rendezvous. In 2025, he was also nominated as an IWF Ambassador for Prevention of Competition Manipulation.
The Athlete Role Models will be on the ground in Dakar to engage with athletes, providing support and advice and taking part in educational workshops. These workshops cover topics such as career management, injury prevention and mental preparation, among many other things.
Weightlifting will be present within the Engagement Programme of the Games, whereby demonstrations of our Sport will be provided to the local fans. African young lifters will animate the exhibition area, and Mr Osei will have the opportunity to share his experience with those champions-to-be.
Moreover, he will be an enthusiastic promoter of the place and value of Weightlifting in the Olympic Programme.
“The Games are held for the first time in Africa, and I am very proud and honoured to be part of this great event. My roots are in this continent and I am quite excited to demonstrate the significance of Sport for the younger generations in this part of the world. The 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games will be a privileged occasion to inspire many boys and girls to the benefits of getting together and practice a physical activity. Weightlifting is also growing in Africa, and the Senegalese event will surely provide a huge step forward in terms of development and investment,” considered Forrester Osei.
IWF Communications
