Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is an international competition for young athletes organized by the International Olympic Committee. The committee also supervises the adult Olympic Games. Young athletes from about 200 countries participate in the YOG.
Like the traditional Olympic Games, the YOG is divided into summer and winter games and held in four-year cycles. The YOG features many of the same sports as the traditional Olympics, though there are fewer events. The YOG also includes several events that are not part of the Olympic Games. These include beach handball, 5-players-on-a-team field hockey, and roller speed skating. Athletes compete in age groups from 15 to 18. Age is determined by how old the athletes are by December 31 of the year they are participating in the games. Some events are divided into male and female competitions, and others include males and females in the same competition.
Qualifying for individual sports is supervised by the International Olympic Committee and the international federations that supervise each sport. Every eligible nation is allowed to enter four athletes for individual events, even if some athletes do not meet qualifying performance standards. In most events, teams represent a single country. Other events have mixed-nation teams. A certain number of slots are reserved in each event for athletes from countries that may otherwise be underrepresented.
The YOG aims to introduce young athletes to experiences beyond athletic competition. Through the “Learn and Share” program, participants can attend interactive workshops and forums on such themes as skills development, the benefits of sport and healthy lifestyles, and social responsibility. The program gives athletes the opportunity to learn about Olympic values, explore other cultures, and develop their skills to become positive representatives of their sport. Nonparticipants also play a role through the “Learn and Share” program. Athlete Role Models support the young competitors by answering questions, offering advice, and sharing their experiences. Beginning sports journalists receive training with professionals in radio, television, and the written and photographic press.
The first YOG summer games were held in Singapore in 2010. The first winter games were held in Innsbruck, Austria, in 2012. The next summer games are planned for Dakar, Senegal, in 2026. The next winter games are scheduled for 2028.
