Three generations, one mural

A collaboration between the Irish Embassy in Dakar, the Organisation Committee of the Dakar Youth Olympic Games 2026, and Irish and Senegalese artists, the mural is both a celebration and statement.

Ireland-Senegal female creative collaboration

Irish street artist, Kathrina Rupit (Kinmx), travelled to Senegal to collaborate on a mural with the celebrated Senegalese artist, Dieynaba Sidibe (Zeinixx).

The mural depicts three generations of female Senegalese Olympians, celebrating female participation in sport ahead of the Youth Olympic Games, which will take place in Dakar from 31 October - 13 November 2026.

The athletes featured in the mural are Julie Marie Gomis, Senegal’s first ever female Olympic athlete who competed the 100 metre hurdles at the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics. Combe Seck, a canoeist who competed in the Paris 2024 Summer Games. And Tening Faye, who will represent Senegal in Taekwondo at the upcoming Dakar Youth Olympics.

Together, they represent the past, present, and future of Senegalese women’s empowerment in sport and the mural is a lasting tribute to their success.

The mural is located at Colobane station, one of the busiest train stations in Dakar, in partnership with Senegal’s national rail companies (SETER and TER). With a footfall of 85,000 people per week, the location ensures high visibility for the mural during the Games and into the future.

Cultural connections

This project was an opportunity to highlight cultural ties between Ireland and Senegal, in particular a shared love of sport and a profound appreciation of art, creativity, and storytelling.

Both Dakar and Dublin have vibrant public art scenes in which women are playing an increasingly prominent role, and the Embassy was thrilled to be able to support an initiative showcasing the very best of Irish and Senegalese female artistic talent.

'The past, present, and future of women’s stories'

Reflecting on the project, Kathrina Rupit said: “Now is a time to celebrate women in all aspects of culture. As we cross borders hand-in-hand, we unite nations through empowerment and acknowledgement of the similarities we all share.

It was amazing to be able to meet the athletes at the unveiling of the project. It is so important to portray the past, present, and future of women’s stories and to celebrate the hard work they have put in to reach all of their achievements. It was also an honour to be able to complete this project with the amazing artist, Zeinexx.”

'A moment of connection'

Zeinexx shared a similar sentiment: “The mural was a transformative experience, a moment of connection between creativity and commitment. Creating a project on this scale, especially one focusing on three generations of women – from the pioneer to the younger generation – reveals the strength and power of women, rooted in ability and resilience. I was able to identify with this project because, as women, our struggles are shared throughout history and different societies.

I was particularly touched by the reactions from passers-by as we were working, who asked questions about the three athletes. You could see a glimmer of pride as they learned about women’s sports in Senegal. My favourite part of the collaboration was working with Kathrina, it was a moment of connection between two cultures, two worlds, and two female artists driven by the same desire to change things in their own way.”

Female empowerment through sport

Beyond its visual impact, the mural honours the role of women in sport – the hurdles they have overcome, the barriers they have broken, and the legacy they continue to build.

Speaking at the unveiling of the mural, Julie Marie Gomis said: “This mural represents both the youth and the veterans of Senegalese women in sport. When I competed in the 1976 Olympic Games, I was the first female Senegalese Olympian. Now, as Dakar prepares to host the Youth Olympic Games 2026, I remember the joy I felt when I had the opportunity to welcome the Olympic Torch to Dakar ahead of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, which took place in Singapore in 2010.

"This mural and what it represents really means a lot to me, and I would like to pass on my thanks to the Embassy of Ireland and the Organising Committee of the Dakar Games for making it possible.”

Combe Seck also reflected on her own sporting career and said, “I really love this mural. It is an honour for me, as a younger athlete, to be depicted alongside Madame Gomis who is a pioneer for women in Senegalese sport. The mural makes me very proud.”

Dakar Youth Olympic Games

Speaking on behalf of the Organising Committee of the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, Fanta Diallo, Director of Engagement and Mobilisation, said: “We warmly welcome this opportunity to pay tribute to women’s creativity and the impact of Senegalese women in sport.

The mural shows three generations, three journeys, but one shared ambition: to inspire young people and elevate the profile of women’s sport in Senegal.

Beyond art, the mural carries a strong message: visibility, legacy and the place of women in both sport and society.

We were delighted to collaborate on this project with the Embassy of Ireland, which reflects the spirit of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, where culture, sport and engagement come together.”

Support for gender equality

Support for gender equality is at the heart of the mission of Ireland’s Embassy since its opening in Dakar in 2023. The promotion of women’s empowerment, including through sport, is a key priority for Ireland’s development cooperation programmes in Senegal. This project builds on that work, as the mural serves as a lasting reminder of the importance of investing in women’s potential – both in sport and society at large.

This project was made possible through the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and in collaboration with the Dakar Youth Olympics Games 2026.