BUENOS AIRES GEARS UP FOR START OF YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES
Nation’s capital to welcome around 4,000 athletes from 206 countries as Argentina hosts an Olympic event for first time.
Some 4,000 youth athletes from 206 countries across the world descend on the nation’s capital this weekend, as Argentina hosts an Olympic Games for the first time.
The third edition of the Youth Olympic Games takes place this weekend in Buenos Aires, kicking off this Saturday with an inauguration ceremony at the Obelisk in the centre of the city. Athletes in 32 different sports will begin competing this Sunday.
The Games may have a more amateur air to them than its parent event but many nations will be closely watching their competitors, hopeful of uncovering stars who will win medals at the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.
As well as porteños, this weekend’s festivities will also be closely observed by a few noteworthy guests, including the 12 Thai children who were rescued from a cave in the Chiang Rai province, after spending 18 days trapped from June 23 to July 10. The kids, who arrived in Argentina yesterday, will be ho use dint he Olympic Villa ge as special guests, alongside the athletes.
Held outside of Asia for the first time, this edition of the Games looks set to be dominated, once again, by China and Russia. First and second-place holders in the all-time medal table for the Youth Olympics, the nations lead with 78 and 57 gold medals respectively.
Following them is Ukraine, Japan, South Korea, United States, France and Italy. Meanwhile, Argentina is looking to win its largest haul of medals to date with the largest delegation ever presented at a Youth Olympics, 141 athletes.
Buenos Aires, the nation’s capital, was chosen to host the Youth Olympics in 2013 and the City and national governments ha ve builtnew arenas andan Olympic Village in the south of the city, on the fringes of Ria- chuelo river.
“We created these Games with the idea that they were to be there for all those who wanted to be a part of them,” said Gerardo Werthein, president of t he Argent in e Olympic Committe e insta tementstot he press.
“The stage is set for Youth OlympicGamesofanewera.We will see here many firsts, not only for the YOG, but for the entire Olympic Movement,” International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said in a statement.
Officials in charge of the organisation of the Games have sought to have the events open tot he publica s muchas possible and demand for tickets has been high. More than 600,000 people registered to receive free Olympic passes to attend the events and at one point, delivery of the p as sesw as suspendeddue to large demand.
“We believe that sport should be more accessible, urbanised and close to the people”, said Werthein.
In keeping with this theme, none of the capital’s large stadiums – such as River Plate’s Monumental stadium or La Boca’s La Bombonera – were considered as sites to host this Saturday’s Opening Ceremony, with City government officials saying such a move would have been “elitist.” Instead, the inauguration will take place at the Obelisk on Avenida 9 de Julio, downtown. Members of the public will have be able to get close to the stage and big screens showing the event.