15 reasons why we love Buenos Aires 2018: No.4 – Athlete Role Models
As the countdown to the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Buenos Aires 2018 continues, we are highlighting 20 reasons to get excited ahead of the 3rd Summer YOG.
While all eyes will be on the inspirational performances of the 3,998 athletes competing at the YOG Buenos Aires 2018, there will be a small group of people playing an equally important role behind the scenes.
The Athlete Role Models (ARMs) have provided crucial support for young athletes at every edition of the YOG since the inaugural Games in Singapore in 2010. From athletics greats Hicham El Guerrouj and Wilson Kipketer to Wu Minxia, the most decorated diver in Olympic history, and four-time Olympic ice hockey medallist Angela Ruggiero, some of the greatest names in sport have played their part.
Having the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires will be a wonderful occasion, and I am excited to have the chance to be involved and use my experience to give back both to my sport and my home city Gabriela Sabatini Athlete Role Model - Gabriela Sabatini Athlete Role Model
And in Buenos Aires, it will be no different. Among the first 25 ARMS who were announced last month are: Argentinian tennis superstars David Nalbandian and Gabriela Sabatini; Greek shooter Anna Korakaki, a gold and bronze medallist at the Olympic Games Rio 2016; and Great Britain hockey star Helen Richardson-Walsh, another Olympic champion in Rio.
Chosen by the International Federations of the 32 sports on the Olympic programme, the ARMs will be on hand to support, inspire and mentor the athletes in the Youth Olympic Village and competition venues, by distributing medals to the winners, as well as through educational activities and workshops, including providing tips on leading a healthy lifestyle and future careers. Athletes and fans can also chat to ARMs and rack their brains in Q&A “Chat with Champions” sessions.
Speaking at the time of the announcement, Sabatini – who won a silver medal at the Olympic Games Seoul 1988 – said: “Having the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires will be a wonderful occasion, and I am excited to have the chance to be involved and use my experience to give back both to my sport and my home city.”
More ARMs will be announced in the run-up to the YOG Buenos Aires 2018. Make sure you follow @youtholympics on Twitter for all the latest news.