Youth Olympic Games show the world the way forward
The Youth Olympic Games are a place of pioneering, where new ideas are spearheaded as International Federation look to retain, include and inspire young people in and through sport. Buenos Aires 2018 will continue this tradition.
Many new events and innovations have proved popular. All the ones listed below have been added to the programme for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
Triathlon relay
At the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018, four athletes will compete in a set order of woman, man, woman, man, starting with an open water swim of 250 to 300m. That is followed by a bicycle ride of five to eight kilometres and a 1.5-2km run, after which they tag the team-mate who is next to go and who then sprints and dives into the water.
The first team to complete the course with all four athletes crossing the finish line is the winner. The team selections are based on results in the individual events, and comprise two boys and two girls. The teams are comprised of two boys and two girls from the same continent and are put together based on the results of the individual events. In the case of not having enough athletes from the continent, the continents are also mixed.
This format has proven very successful since its introduction at the Youth Olympic Games Singapore 2010.
Basketball 3x3
The Basketball 3x3 format was contested at the YOG in Singapore 2010 and Nanjing 2014, and is once again on the programme in Buenos Aires.
It is played on a half-court with one basket, with each team comprising four players - three on court at any one time and one substitute. An athlete must attempt a shot for a field goal – anything other than a free throw – within 12 seconds of receiving the ball.
One point is awarded for successful shots from the free throw line and from anywhere inside the arc, the 6.75m line, with baskets from beyond the arc earning two points. There is no break after a successful shot, with offence immediately turning to defence. The first team to score 21 or more points, or the team that is leading after 10 minutes is the winner.
The first 3x3 basketball match at the YOG Singapore 2010 also marked the first time 3x3 was played in an official competition.
Mixed team judo
A mixed team judo event has featured at both previous YOG. It follows the individual competitions, with athletes of all weight classes split into groups of all nationalities. At the Olympic games Tokyo 2020 the athletes in the mixed team event will all compete for the same NOC compared to the international nature of the YOG version.
The competition starts with an elimination round, with the teams with the most wins moving through the rounds, culminating in the gold-medal match.
Mixed team shooting
Mixed team shooting made its debut at the Youth Olympic Games Nanjing 2014. In Buenos Aires, individual events will be contested in the 10m air rifle and 10m air pistol from which teams will be selected based on the results. Teams are composed of two athletes, one of each gender.
The team event consists of a qualification with separate matches until the final, where the team that reaches 10 points is the winner of each match.
Mixed team archery
In Buenos Aires, the mixed archery teams are composed of the highest-ranked man and the lowest-ranked woman. They compete as mixed nations.
Their combined score from the 60m ranking round – with a maximum of 1,440 points – then ranks the pair for matchplay, where the teams go head to head.
Mixed team fencing
Mixed team fencing featured in Singapore 2010 and Nanjing 2014. In Buenos Aires, the mixed competition will consist of continental teams, with places determined by the results of the individual events.
Each team will be made up of six competitors – three of either gender - competing in one of the three weapons – epee, foil and sabre. The first team to reach 30 points is the winner.