What to Do in Dakar in November 2026: Youth Olympics, Dak’Art and a Month of Music

DIAMNA, Senegal (AP) — Arno Yafunga, a 15-year-old judoka, fled conflict-ridden Congo with his family as a child. Now, competing with his father as coach, Arno is making history as part of the first refugee team to participate in the Youth Olympic Games. His father, Arnold, fled to Kenya in 2017 due to safety concerns. After joining a judo club in Kakuma refugee camp, Arno continued practicing the sport he loved.

Now, Arno is one of six young athletes representing refugees at the Youth Games in Senegal, described as a "historic moment" by the UN refugee agency. Despite the challenges of living in a new country, Arno found solace in judo, which kept him away from trouble in Nairobi. In the boys' 55-kilogram division, Arno narrowly missed a bronze medal, with his teammates cheering him on.

The Refugee Olympic Team, aiming to raise awareness about displacement and demonstrate Olympic inclusion, includes athletes from Kenya and Uganda in judo, taekwondo, and track and field. Florence Masumbe, another refugee athlete, hopes her participation inspires other refugee children with her talent and success. Arnold dreams of his son's journey continuing to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, spreading hope to other young refugees.