Electing hosts to reform Youth Olympic Games

Image: IOC

The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC’s) Executive Board (EB) has invited Asunción Paraguay; Bangkok, Thailand; and Santiago, Chile is into a Targeted Dialogue towards electing a host for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2030. All three are now considered Preferred Hosts.

‘HOST CITY’ stated that the aim is to elect the host of YOG 2030 in 2026.

The IOC will now start more detailed discussions with the Preferred Hosts, led by their National Olympic Committees (NOCs), with the aim of electing the host in 2026 to give the future organising committee sufficient time to prepare the event.

The EB decision is based on a proposal by the IOC’s Working Group on the Youth Olympic Games chaired by the IOC Member in Slovakia, Danka Hrbeková. The Targeted Dialogue is subject to the Preferred Hosts accepting preliminary proposals to reform the YOG, related to the 2030 edition.

Said Danka Hrbeková, IOC Member in Slovakia and Chair of the IOC’s YOG Working Group, “We were deeply impressed by the potential of these three projects to deliver spectacular and sustainable Youth Olympic Games. All three can offer recent experience of hosting international events in multiple sports, 100 percent existing or temporary competition venues, full political support and a shared vision that the YOG can help to achieve a better and more active future for their country’s youth.”

‘HOST CITY’ further stated that The YOG Working Group will continue to study the potential and relevance of future editions of the YOG to benefit the young athletes and the entire sports movement in consultation with stakeholders such as the International Federations (IFs), the NOCs and continental organisations as part of the Fit for the Future review process.

Added Hrbeková, “The strong interest in the 2030 edition from new regions of the world demonstrates the value that potential hosts see in the Youth Olympic Games. The YOG have offered tens of thousands of young athletes and volunteers a unique, global, multisports experience helping to form the basis for their future careers. The YOG are also an important laboratory for innovation in Olympic sports events.”

All three projects are aligned with local and national long-term plans for development, sports, education and health, to deliver a wide range of socio-economic community benefits.
 
They were put forward for Targeted Dialogue based on their unique opportunities:
 

Asunción, Paraguay

• 100 percent existing or temporary competition venues and expertise and capabilities developed during the delivery of the 2025 Junior Pan American Games;
• A single cluster that would ensure festive celebrations of the YOG; and
• Strong local and national government support including a commitment to fund 95 percent of the YOGOC budget.

 

Bangkok, Thailand

• 100 percent existing or temporary infrastructure including a university campus in Bangkok for the main Youth Olympic Village;
• One urban and one beach cluster to ensure a memorable YOG for the athletes;
• Strong support from the local and national government with a commitment to fund 80 percent of the YOGOC budget;

 

Santiago, Chile

• 100 percent existing or temporary competition venues and expertise and capabilities developed during the delivery of the 2023 Pan American Games;
• One urban and one coastal cluster that would have distinct characters and ensure a good YOG experience for the athletes; and
• Strong local and national government support, including the commitment to fund 70 percent of the YOGOC budget plus any shortfall, and to guarantee the construction of the Youth Olympic Village.

 
The IOC feasibility assessments reflect information gathered during Continuous Dialogue through regular meetings and exchanges with the Interested Parties. In accordance with Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC consulted detailed information from independent third-party sources.

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