TikTok’s biggest star, Khaby Lame, is certainly relishing the rockstar feeling in Dakar—and he is using it to pass on what he learned from a real rockstar: Usain Bolt.

Lame, who is the Youth Olympic Games in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Ambassador, lit up the opening ceremony in Diamniadio, ahead of Africa’s first-ever Olympic event.

With over 250 million followers combined, Lame, 26, dismissed the rockstar tag as he sent a powerful message on being grounded despite one’s abilities.

In an interview with Olympics, he said, “The goal in the end is not to be a rock star but to give something to the people. We are here to give back, spread love, inspire, and show people that everyone can do it. It does not matter where you come from; if you really want to do it, you can do it.”

Lesson on humility from Usain Bolt

It is a lesson he says he learned from meeting his own hero – Usain Bolt – at a Formula 1 race years ago, after he rose from being jobless during COVID to becoming the most followed person on TikTok.

Like Bolt, who handled global fame while staying grounded, Lame says true greatness is not about fame or winning alone.

For the 2,700 athletes aged 15-17 from around the world competing from Oct 31 to Nov 13 in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly, he sent a clear message:

“Don’t just focus on winning or being famous. I see them with the fire in their eyes. They really want to win. They are confident,” Lame said after meeting Senegal’s team.

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“But I told them not only to think about winning but also about participating and having fun.”

In the Olympics.com video filmed inside the Village, his main advice is, “Don’t just focus on the dream, because your obsession can make you lose the journey towards the dream. You have got to enjoy the journey towards the dream. You are going to go through a lot, and it’s going to be painful and lonely, but you have got to keep going. Do not stop believing in your dreams, but do not become too obsessed.”

“This is a fantastic opportunity because today, you’re not just competing: you’re showing what the continent has to offer,” Lame, who was named ambassador in March 2026 alongside Omar Sy, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Eliud Kipchoge, said.

“Dakar 2026 means a lot for Africa. It’s a win for Africa because we never have the opportunity to host anything big like this,” he said.