Thais keen to bid for 2026 Youth Games
Thailand has expressed its interest to host the Youth Olympic Games, said Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, president of Thai NOC.
Speaking after a meeting with Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in South Korea yesterday, Gen Prawit said Thailand has discussed the possibility of bidding for the Youth Olymic Games and it might happen in 2026.
“This year’s edition will be taking place in Argentina and the next edition of 2022 is likely to be held in Africa,” he said.
“No country has so far expressed its interest to host the Games in 2026.”
Deputy prime minister Gen Prawit and his staff, including Dr Somsak Leeswadtrakul, advisor to the Thai NOC, also met the four Thai representatives at the 2018 Winter Games.
The quadrennial Youth Olympic Games, limited to athletes aged 14-18, was first held in Singapore in 2010 and followed by the Nanjing Games in 2014. The third episode will take place in Buenos Aires on Oct 6-18 when 3,786 athletes from 206 countries will vie for 238 gold medals in 31 sports.
Meanwhile, IOC member Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul said that the IOC is willing to support Thailand’s bid to host the event.
“The IOC president said that if the event benefits Thai people, it could propose [to host the Games],” she said. “He added that there is no need to have new stadiums built and making full use of the existing ones would be enough.”
Patama added that the IOC president will pay a visit to Thailand between April 15-20 for the 16th SportsAccord Convention in Bangkok and would take a look at all existing sports facilities.