Day 5: What’s been happening at the YOG

Performance of the Day

Competing in an individual sport like BMX freestyle means you usually don’t get to experience being part of a team. But the unique format of the YOG event gave athletes the chance to compete together as part of mixed-gender teams. It was a format that Germany’s Lara Lessmann found particularly enjoyable. “It was an honour for me to be here to represent my country, and also my team-mate [Evan Brandes],” she said. “[The mixed format] is something very new – we’ve never had this before – but I think it’s something good because you can support each other, and one person can cheer the other person up. It worked well, and was a good experience.” It proved such a good experience for Lessmann that she was able to clinch gold alongside Brandes, with the duo sharing top spot on the podium with Argentinean pair Agustina Rotho and Inaki Iriartes, after the two teams finished level on points.

Girl power!

As the world marked International Day of the Girl, several star performances by female athletes caught the eye in Buenos Aires, particularly in mixed events where they were able to compete alongside their male team-mates. In addition to Lessmann and Rotho shining in BMX freestyle, Demnark’s Sif Bendix Madsen and Switzerland’s Anja Weber both excelled at the Green Park as they claimed gold in the triathlon mixed relay as part of the Europe I team. Taking the opening leg of the four-person relay, Madsen hit the front of the pack on the cycling leg to put Europe in the lead, and then cheered on her team-mates from the sidelines.

“It’s nice to be on a team with new people, to get to know them,” she said. “Together we were stronger.” The breaking mixed finals also brought together B-Boys and B-Girls from different countries, with Japan’s Ram claiming gold alongside Vietnam’s B4 as they beat Italy’s Lexy and Argentina’s Broly in the final, while Austria’s Ella teamed with Russia’s Bumblebee to win the bronze medal. “I think it’s really cool that we can do this,” said Ella afterwards. “It’s important that we mix [men and women] together.”

Fencers find the balance

With their final events concluding yesterday, all YOG fencers were invited to take part in a special workshop in the Youth Olympic Village, which highlighted how athletes can find the right balance between their sporting and professional careers. On-hand to offer advice was Athlete Role Model and Olympic silver medallist Daryl Homer, who has successfully combined fencing with his work in the advertising industry.

“It’s important that these young athletes know that you can have both,” he said. “You’ve got to put in the base work to get where you want to in your career just the same as you do as an athlete to achieve your goals, but they can benefit each other. Having another outlet can take your mind off sport and make you a more holistic athlete and a more holistic person.”

Meet and greet

IOC President Thomas Bach spent some time hanging out with athletes in the Youth Olympic Village, joining in with a variety of the activities on offer and chatting to many of the volunteers.

Quote of the Day

“I’ve done zero revision so far!”

Australian golfer Grace Kim has to sit an English exam next week, but so far she’s been too busy winning gold in the women’s event to pick up her books and study