He crossed Senegal on foot and returned with one certainty: "The next generation will be a force to be reckoned with at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games," (Yannis Port)

As Senegal prepares to host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, some individual initiatives are already helping to project a strong image of the country internationally. One such initiative is the March of Champions, conceived and led by Yannis Port, a French physical trainer of Algerian descent, who chose Senegal as the very first country to launch this ambitious project.

A deliberate and symbolic choice

“Senegal is a country that has always inspired me, I have always heard good things about Teranga. Taking Mbellane as the starting point is not insignificant, I have a special history with a Senegalese friend and memories,” he confides.

Conceived by himself, the March of Champions is not simply a sporting challenge, but a concept he wishes to roll out internationally. And for its launch, Yannis Port didn't hesitate: Senegal was the obvious choice.

For five days, accompanied by Cloé, his teammate, he travelled nearly 300 kilometers on foot, linking Mbellane, a village located in the Kaolack region, to Dakar.

Through this journey, he wanted to tell the story of a country in a different way, as close as possible to the people.

"The goal is to introduce others, but also to discover myself the culture, the gastronomy, the people of Senegal," he said.

An immersion that reinforces the image of Senegal

Each evening, he and his team were welcomed into the homes of local people, thus experiencing a total immersion in the daily lives of Senegalese people.

"The Senegalese people truly welcomed us in the best possible way from the beginning to the end of the adventure," he said.

In a context where Senegal is positioning itself as a showcase for the continent in the lead-up to the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, promoting this type of initiative makes perfect sense. It highlights not only the landscapes and territories, but also the human values that form the basis of the country's identity.

Throughout his career, Yannis Port was struck by the presence of many young people practicing sports.

He states: "I have discovered that Senegalese people are great athletes, I really encourage all young people to play sports."

This observation is fully in line with the dynamics of the Youth Olympic Games, which Senegal will host.

"I can't wait for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the new generation is going to be a force to be reckoned with, the Senegalese generation, God willing," he says.

A symbolic arrival at the African Renaissance Monument

The arrival at the foot of the African Renaissance Monument on Friday at 5 p.m. marked the end of this adventure. Yannis Port and his team received a warm welcome and were presented with typical Senegalese gifts from the tourist community and numerous curious onlookers who came to applaud their initiative.

In a friendly and emotional atmosphere, they also received typically Senegalese gifts, symbols of Teranga and recognition for this initiative.

By choosing Senegal as the starting point for the March of Champions, Yannis Port sends a strong signal: that of an attractive, inspiring country ready to shine internationally.