From Athlone to Russia: Skateboarder Jean-Marc Johannes Selected for Global Youth Summit

South African professional skateboarder Jean-Marc Johannes has been chosen to represent his country at the 2026 International Festival of Youth, held in Yekaterinburg, Russia from September 11 to 17. The festival, organized by the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, brings together 10,000 participants aged 14 to 35 from over 180 countries to address global issues, leadership development, and cultural exchange.

Johannes, who has been competing internationally for South Africa for the past decade, will headline the KARDO World Series Finals that follow the festival. Supported by the Russia Land of Opportunities platform, KARDO is an international award program evaluating over 2,500 finalists in various urban sports, including skateboarding.

Johannes sees this opportunity as a chance to share his South African sporting experience and explore global influences on the industry. He aims to bring his learnings back to South African communities, noting that skateboarding is increasingly influential within urban culture.

Growing up in hospital wards due to chronic asthma, Johannes found solace in skateboarding, which served as an outlet for his creativity. His skills were later recognized when he set five world records in 2023, making him the first African skateboarder in the 2024 Guinness World Records.

Through his participation in the Youth Festival, Johannes plans to analyze industry trends and contribute to the development of South African sports infrastructure. He emphasizes that anything is possible with time, dedication, ambition, and adaptability, a message he wants to share with young South Africans facing challenges.