An event nine years in the making has finally arrived. From August 14 to August 26, Singapore will host the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, bringing an estimated 3,600 young athletes between the ages of 14 and 18 from more than 200 nations to compete against one another while learning from and about each other.
Its predecessor, the IOC-endorsed World Youth Games, took place in Moscow in 1998, but was discontinued. According to AP, when Jacques Rogge was elected president of the International Olympic Committee in 2001, he decided to bring the project back. In 2007, five potential hosts were announced, with Singapore beating out Athens, Bangkok, Moscow and Turin to host the inaugural Games.
The same 26 sports that occur in the regular Summer Games will be part of the competition in the Youth Olympic Games, but not all disciplines or events will be contested. Of course, these Games are about more than just competing. The Culture and Education Programme (CEP) is a big part of the event, and its goal is for the athletes “to embrace, embody and express the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.” The CEP page on the website notes ways for the athletes to apply the Olympic values to their lives as well as an overview of the five educational themes — Olympism, skills development, well-being and healthy lifestyle, social responsibility and expression.
Should you happen to be in Singapore, tickets are still on sale, subject to availability. And if you want to watch the Games and cheer your country on, here’s a list of broadcasters by country.
Photo by Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games via Flickr.