The Athlete and Olympian Engagement Athletes’ Department has expressed its sincere appreciation for the International Judo Federation’s continued engagement and collaboration, as the organisations work closely together towards the success of Dakar 2026.
Two dedicated courses are now available: Mastering Your Sporting Journey for Young Athletes and Mastering Your Sporting Journey for Athletes’ Entourage Members. These courses aim to equip participants with essential knowledge and practical tools to support both performance and personal development in a safe and ethical sporting environment.
The course designed for young athletes focuses on preparing them for the unique challenges of competing at a major multi-sport event. It supports them in building mental resilience, understanding how to protect themselves and others, and maintaining the integrity of sport. As athletes embark on their Olympic journey, the programme ensures they are ready to navigate both the highs and lows of competition, while also knowing when and how to seek support.
Structured as three key modules, the course addresses critical areas of development. The first, centred on mental fitness, provides practical strategies to help athletes stay focused, manage pressure and recover effectively from setbacks. It explores preparation before competition, performance during events and reflection afterwards.
The second module focuses on safeguarding, helping athletes to understand their rights and responsibilities in sport. It emphasises the importance of recognising unsafe situations, promoting respectful environments and speaking up when necessary.
The third module tackles the issue of competition manipulation, one of the most significant threats to modern sport. Athletes are guided to recognise potential risks, make informed decisions and take appropriate action to protect both themselves and the integrity of competition.
A parallel course has been developed for entourage members, recognising their vital role in supporting young athletes. Coaches, parents and support staff are provided with tools to help safeguard athletes’ wellbeing, promote mental health and uphold the values of clean sport.
This course also follows a three-part structure. It begins with a focus on mental wellbeing, enabling entourage members to better support athletes before, during and after competition. It then addresses safeguarding responsibilities, highlighting the importance of creating safe, respectful environments, free from harassment or abuse. Finally, it provides guidance on preventing competition manipulation, ensuring that entourage members are fully equipped to promote fair play and respond appropriately to any concerns.
These pre-YOG e-learning courses are available on the Athlete365 platform and have been designed to be interactive, concise and age-appropriate. They are built around four key themes: maintaining mental fitness, safeguarding, preventing competition manipulation and anti-doping, with the last of those delivered in collaboration with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
To ensure accessibility and inclusivity, the courses are offered in nine languages for athletes and six languages for entourage members, enabling a wide and diverse audience to benefit from the programme.
As Dakar 2026 approaches, this initiative represents a crucial step in preparing the next generation of Olympians. By investing in education and awareness, the Athlete Education Programme not only enhances performance but also reinforces the core values of sport, ensuring a safe, fair and empowering environment for all participants.