Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders at the Paris Olympics IOC Young Leader Booth

For over three decades, Panasonic has passionately supported the Olympic Games, beginning in 1987. Through the “Sharing the Passion” initiative, Panasonic continues to bring new excitement and energy to people around the world. Established in 2016 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Panasonic, the IOC Young Leaders Programme nurtures the next generation of leaders dedicated to making positive impacts on society and the planet.

The Panasonic x IOC Young Leader Booth at Champions Park during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games was designed to create an open, welcoming, and friendly space for visitors to engage with the IOC Young Leaders and learn about their impactful work. The booth celebrated the spirit of “Sport for a better world. Every day. Everywhere,” the key message of Olympism365. It featured activities such as talk sessions with eight Young Leaders and event athletes, games, a dance contest, photography and social media projects, and the screening of special videos. These activities aimed to introduce the IOC Young Leaders programme to a broader audience and connect with visitors both in-person and digitally.

Following the first article, this time we highlight three exceptional IOC Young Leaders featured at the booth: Layana de Souza from Brazil, Kamil Pavlinský from Slovakia, and Grace Towobola from Nigeria. Each leader brings a unique vision and commitment to harnessing the power of sports to drive social change through their inspiring projects, all fueled by their passion for a brighter future.

Layana de Souza, a former student-athlete who played basketball in the USA, has been on a personal journey starting from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro to becoming a driving force for social change is a testament to the transformative power of sports. Layana holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sport Administration/Management and has worked as a Sport Information Coordinator for basketball at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Reflecting on her own experiences, she says, “Sport not only gave me a quality education, but it also gave me friends, took me to many different places in the world, and put me through moments that shaped who I am today.” Now, as a member of the Olympism 365 Commission, Layana is determined to pay it forward through her initiative, Changing the Score.

Changing the Score is more than just a basketball program; it’s a lifeline for underprivileged boys and girls in her community. Layana founded the project with the belief that sports can change the world, a conviction born from her own life story. The program offers free basketball lessons three times a week, but its impact goes far beyond the court. “The goal is to provide them opportunities to develop competencies that will contribute to their character building,” Layana explains. By fostering a safe and inclusive environment, Changing the Score helps young people break down barriers and deconstruct stereotypes, equipping them with the tools they need to improve their quality of life.

As part of the Panasonic x IOC Young Leader Booth during the Paris Olympics, Layana aims to share her passion for the positive impact sports can have on others. “I want to show my passion for sport as a means to great opportunities, as a means to educate and inspire,” she says. Through her work, Layana is not only changing the score in her community but also inspiring a new generation to see sports as a powerful catalyst for social change.

Kamil Pavlinský, a former volleyball player with a deep passion for sports, has dedicated himself to using his experience to uplift those who need it most. As a European Young Olympic Ambassador, he’s been instrumental in preparing activities that instill Olympic Values in young athletes at European Youth Olympic Festivals. His current project, Šanca Športovať (Chance to Play), focuses on providing sports opportunities for children from orphanages and socially disadvantaged families. “When I was studying at the International Olympic Academy, I discovered the true power of sport and what Olympism is really about,” Kamil says. “I wanted to help children in my community, especially those who don’t have access to sports.”

Kamil’s project is driven by his realization of a significant gap in sports opportunities for underprivileged children in his city. “The most affected people who lack sports opportunities are children from orphanages and socially disadvantaged families,” he explains. Šanca Športovať aims not only to give these children access to sports but also to foster a sense of community and belonging. “Often they feel lonely, so the goal of my project is to make them feel part of the team.” By offering these children a chance to engage in sports without the burden of high fees, Kamil is working to ensure they have the opportunity to experience the physical and mental benefits that come with being active.

As part of the Panasonic x IOC Young Leader Booth during the Paris Olympics, Kamil hopes to share the joy and positivity that sports can bring. “Positive emotions, joy of effort, happiness, education, and fun—all this together,” he says, are the passions he wants to deliver to the world. Through his efforts, Kamil is not only opening doors to sports for underprivileged children but also creating an environment where they can build lasting relationships and feel a true sense of belonging.

Grace Towobola, a football coach and recipient of the prestigious 2022/2023 Chevening scholarship, is on a mission to leverage sports as a tool for social change. Currently pursuing an MSc in Sport Coaching at the University of Central Lancashire, England, Grace has an impressive background with degrees in Sport Management and Agricultural Economics.

Her experience spans coaching roles with male and female teams across the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), British University and College Sports (BUCS), and elite English clubs. Her passion for sports development is evident in her project, ROOTS, which aims to improve grassroots football, empower youth, and enhance the well-being of senior citizens. “I was excited to represent both Panasonic and the International Olympic Committee, having read about the opportunities and successes of previous Young Leaders,” Grace says of her motivation to join the program.

ROOTS is a multifaceted initiative with three primary goals. First, it focuses on improving grassroots football by providing out-of-school children with the resources and coaching they need to develop into professional footballers, while also reintroducing them to education in a fun and engaging way. “We help reduce gender inequality in football education by delivering free Coaches’ Leadership Training to aspiring female football coaches,” Grace explains, emphasizing her commitment to closing the gender gap in sports. Additionally, ROOTS promotes youth empowerment by offering volunteering, work placements, and internships, giving young people hands-on experience and the skills needed to pursue successful careers in football and other sports. Finally, the project also seeks to improve the experiences of senior citizens, especially women, by offering fitness programs designed to enhance overall health and well-being.

At the Panasonic x IOC Young Leader Booth during the Paris Olympics, Grace hopes to inspire others with her unwavering belief in the power of sports to drive positive change. “I want to deliver positive energy—the kind that strongly believes in the power of sports to drive positive change, social inclusion, community development, and youth empowerment,” she says. Through her work with ROOTS and her passion for sport for development, Grace is not only changing lives in her community but also setting a powerful example of how sports can be a catalyst for broader societal transformation.

The dedication of Layana de Souza, Kamil Pavlinský, and Grace Towobola to uplifting the next generation through sports is a powerful testament to their belief in the potential of youth to shape a better future. Each of these remarkable leaders is driven by a desire to not only provide opportunities for young people but also to instill in them the values and resilience needed to overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.

Layana de Souza, with her project Changing the Score, urges young people to focus on where they want to end up, not where they began. “To the next generation, just remember that more important than how we start our journey, it is how we finish it,” she advises. Layana believes that with hard work, commitment, courage, and empathy, young people can defy the odds and create their own paths to success.

Kamil Pavlinský, through his initiative Šanca Športovať, encourages youth to pursue their dreams with determination. “If you have dreams—go for it,” he says, highlighting the importance of taking that first step, no matter how daunting it may seem. “The first step is always the most difficult to do, but then you will rock it and enjoy it. Never give up!” Kamil’s message is a reminder that perseverance is key to turning dreams into reality.

Grace Towobola, through her project ROOTS, emphasizes the importance of belief and action. “It starts from the heart! If you believe it, and work towards it, you will become it,” she says. Grace’s words resonate with the power of self-belief and the importance of putting in the effort to bring one’s vision to life.

Together, Layana, Kamil, and Grace are not only providing resources and opportunities for young people but also inspiring them to believe in themselves and strive for a future where they can make a difference. Their work stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that with passion, perseverance, and the right support, the next generation can rise to meet any challenge and change the world for the better.

Panasonic is the Official Worldwide Olympic & Paralympic Partner in the Audio and Visual Equipment category.