Deadline: 30-Nov-2025
Applicants are now invited to submit applications for the IOC Young Reporters Programme to develop the next generation of sports journalists.
The IOC Young Reporters Programme provides young professionals aged 18 to 24 from around the world with hands-on training and mentorship, equipping them with the skills needed to cover major sporting events, including the Olympic Games.
During the YOG all participants receive intensive training in sports journalism, including writing, photography, broadcasting and social media. The participants are mentored by leading professionals in the sports media industry. The course programme looks at what makes a good human interest story, how to produce news stories under tight deadlines, when to look for background detail and why accuracy and fairness remain the cornerstones of reporting. The programme, organized and managed by IOC Media Operations, fosters international collaboration, cultural exchange and Olympic values, leaving a powerful legacy in the host countries of the Olympic Games.
The IOC will cover the cost of economy airfares, all meals, twin-share accommodation, and full tuition from experienced mentors and coaches. Participants will also receive a uniform from the IOC.
The 2026 programme will select 16 participants, equally split between 8 males and 8 females. Candidates will be submitted by the Organising Committees of future Olympic and Youth Olympic Games (Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, Youth Olympic Winter Games Dolomiti Valtellina 2028, Los Angeles 2028, French Alps 2030, and Brisbane 2032). To ensure a diverse and broad participation, interested individuals from countries not listed among the future hosts may apply directly via a dedicated registration portal which will be available on Olympics.com.
The selected Young Reporters will be invited to participate in the programme in Dakar in November 2026. They will receive an ‘E’ press accreditation. They will work and train in the Main Press Centre with all the other accredited media and will receive specialised and intensive media training from Olympic experts and senior sports journalists and photographers working as their mentors.
Applicants must be aged between 21 to 25 years old (as of 31 October 2026), be a student or a young professional in journalism, broadcasting, or photography, have full proficiency in English (written and spoken), and provide a portfolio and references to support their application.
Young Reporters will receive both general and specialised training in various aspects of sports reporting and learn how to cover major events such as the Olympic Games. Training will focus on crafting compelling sports stories, how to produce news stories under tight deadlines, when to look for background detail, and why accuracy, fairness and journalistic ethics still remain the cornerstones of sports reporting. Photographers will learn first-hand about the art of sports imagery including what makes a great sports photo, covering colour and composition, how to create a sense of place, how to edit and file and how to use the latest professional equipment.
For broadcast training, the Young Reporters will learn the nuances between news stories, colour stories, live coverage and interviews. They will learn how to craft a script to enhance the video images captured, as well as the skills required for editing and creating stories. The integration of social media, data analysis and dedicated reporting on social media platforms forms a core component of the Young Reporters training. According to the Young Reporters specific interests, they will specialise in areas of media, such as print reporting, sports photography, broadcast, and social media. However, all participants will be required to take part and complete all modules in each of the disciplines: text, photo, broadcasting, and social media.
Stories, photographs, audio and video packages will be published on the Young Reporters Programme media platforms. The programme will also feature interviews and presentations by guest speakers from the media industry, the IOC, and other key sporting organisations. Training and course work will be conducted in English, and translation and interpretation services will not be available.
Applicants are required to submit a CV, motivation letter, copy of passport, certificate of enrollment (if applicable), two professional reference letters, portfolio, proof of published work (if applicable), and a photo of the applicant only. All documents, except published work, should be submitted in English. Applicants missing the required documents will not be considered.
The deadline for submission is 30 November 2025, 23:59 (CET).
For more information, visit International Olympic Committee.