Youth Olympic Games
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Youth Olympic Games (YOG)[1] are planned to be an international multi-sport event held every four years in staggered summer and winter events complementing the current Olympic Games,[2] and will feature athletes between the ages of 14 and 18.[3] The idea for such an event was envisioned in 2001 by International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge.[4] On July 6, 2007, IOC members at the 119th IOC session in Guatemala City approved the creation of a youth version of the Olympic Games.[5]
The summer version will last at most twelve days, with the first edition taking place in mid-summer of 2010; the winter version will last a maximum of nine days, with the first edition taking place in early 2012.[6][7] The IOC will allow a maximum of 3,500 athletes and 875 officials to participate at the summer games,[8] while 970 athletes and 580 officials are expected at the winter games.[5] Estimated costs are currently $30 million for the summer and $15 million-$20 million for winter games.[9] However, the budgets for the final two bids for the inaugural Summer Games came in at $75 million (Singapore) and $175 million (Moscow), much higher than the estimated costs. Bids with lower budgets were eliminated early in the process. It has been stated the IOC will "foot the bill" for the Youth Games, but whether or not they will pay the first $15-30 million is as of yet unclear.
Each participating country would send at least four athletes. The athlete will be chosen at least 18 months in advance, which suggests that some could be chosen as young as age 12. At least one IOC member critisized the plan, noting that smaller teams from all countries may fail to capture the interest of the media, nations, and the athletes themselves.[10]
Several other Olympic events for youth, like the European Youth Olympic Festival held every other year with summer and winter versions, and the Australian Youth Olympic Festival, have proven successful; the Youth Games would most likely be modeled after these.[4]
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[edit] Requirements of host cities
It has been stressed that the host city should not have to build any major venues, with the exception of some temporary structures or possibly an Olympic village.[11] Also, all competitions must be held in the host city, ruling out any joint bids. According to bid procedures, the track and field stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies must hold 10,000 people, and a city must have a 2,500-seat aquatics facility (for Summer editions).[12]
Education and culture are also key components for this Youth edition. Not only does the education/culture aspect apply to athletes and participants, but also youth around the world and inhabitants of the host city and surrounding regions. Multi-lingual, multi-cultural, and multi-age requirements are the targets of the program which stress the themes of "Learning to know, learning to be, learning to do, and learning to leave together."[13]
[edit] Differences in sports contested
The sports contested at these games will be the same as those scheduled for the traditional Games,[4] but with a limited number of disciplines and events.[8] Of the 26 sports, the IOC plans, for example, not to include the water polo and synchronized swimming disciplines of aquatics, as well as the slalom discipline of canoeing on the schedule of events.[8] The basketball competition may be “streetball,” in which games are held outside and sometimes with fewer players. The cycling disciplines are mountain bike and BMX, and road and track cycling were left off the schedule. Baseball and Softball were also not included on the list of sports.[12] Other youth-driven sports may eventually be contested if backed by international sports federations.[5] In November 2007, it was revealed that pentathlon will be included, as well as sailing, giving an edge to applicants near water.[14]
The Winter edition will contest seven sports. Luge and bobsled are possible casualties considering the small number of worldwide venues and restrictions in building new venues. [15]
[edit] List of Youth Olympic Games
In early November 2007, Athens, Bangkok, Singapore, Moscow, and Turin were selected by the IOC as the five candidate cities among which the host city will be elected for the Inaugural Games. In January 2008, the candidates were further pared down to just Moscow and Singapore. Finally, on 21 February 2008, Singapore was declared host of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games 2010 via live telecast from Lausanne, Switzerland, winning by a tally of 53 votes to 44 for Moscow.[16] Singapore is contesting all 26 sports.
| Year | Games | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | I Youth Olympic Games |  Singapore |
| 2014 | II Youth Olympic Games | To be determined |
[edit] List of Youth Winter Olympic Games
| Year | Games | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | I Winter Youth Olympic Games | To be determined |
| 2016 | II Winter Youth Olympic Games | To be determined |
[edit] References
- ^ Matroka, Bernadette. "IOC "Welcomes" Idea of Youth Olympic Games to Start in 2010 with "Relevant" Sports". Retrieved on 2007-05-20.
- ^ "FIS in favor of Youth Olympic Games", FIS, 2007-05-08. Retrieved on 2007-05-20.
- ^ "No kidding: Teens to get Youth Olympic Games", USA Today. Retrieved on 2007-05-19.
- ^ a b c "Rogge wants Youth Olympic Games", BBC Sport, 2007-03-19. Retrieved on 2007-05-19.
- ^ a b c "IOC Session: A "go" for Youth Olympic Games", International Olympic Committee, 2007-07-05. Retrieved on 2007-07-05.
- ^ Youth Olympic Games. International Olympic Committee (2007). Retrieved on 2007-07-06.
- ^ "IOC to Introduce Youth Olympic Games in 2010", 2007-04-25. Retrieved on 2007-05-20.
- ^ a b c 1st Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2010. International Olympic Committee Department of Communications (2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
- ^ IOC votes to start Youth Olympics in 2010
- ^ IOC approves first Youth Olympics
- ^ YOG Candidature Procedure and Questionnaire, section 7
- ^ a b U.S. might bid for 2012 Youth Olympics
- ^ YOG Candidature Procedure and Questionnaire, section 8
- ^ IOC Confirms Sailing Events, Modern Pentathlon, At First Youth Olympic Games
- ^ IOC opens bid process for inaugural Winter Youth Olympics in 2012
- ^ Singapore to host the 1st Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2010. SINGAPORE 2010
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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