15 reasons why we love Buenos Aires 2018: No.9 – the power to unite!

As with previous editions of the YOG, the YOG Buenos Aires 2018 will bring athletes together in a variety of unique and innovative ways.

Ever since Singapore 2010, one of the most prominent features of the YOG has been the inclusion of numerous mixed team events that give young male and female athletes the chance to compete alongside each other. In Buenos Aires, there will be 22 mixed events, in sports such as badminton, swimming, golf, gymnastics and cycling.

In some cases, these mixed events will also bring athletes from different National Olympic Committees (NOCs) together on the same team, adding another unique element to the competition. Among the sports to feature mixed-NOC events will be archery, equestrian, triathlon, judo, fencing, shooting, diving and modern pentathlon.

But it isn't just on the field of play that athletes will be brought together in fun and exciting ways; the competing athletes will also be living together in the Olympic Village for the duration of the YOG. From 6 to 18 October, the newly-built village will be home to all 3,998 young athletes from more than 200 countries, serving approximately 143,000 meals a day as the athletes eat together in the huge 2,300-capacity dining room.

In addition to sharing a home in the Olympic Village, the athletes will have ample opportunity to interact with one another through the array of Learn & Share activities on offer. Designed to equip athletes with the skills they need to succeed both on and off the field of play, these fun activities further help to break down the barriers that exist through language and culture by uniting the athletes in a variety of workshops and interactive sessions.