Hosting the Youth Olympic Games
Integrating education and culture in a festive atmosphere, the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) create meaningful change by delivering long-lasting social, sports, sustainability, and other benefits for local, regional and national communities, especially for younger generations.
Youth at the core. With the champions of tomorrow. An event for the youth, by the youth, with the youth.
- The DNA of the Youth Olympic Games
Social benefits
The primary goal for the hosts of the YOG is to organise high-level sports competitions, while maximising opportunities to educate and engage with young athletes and local youth, inspiring them to play an active role in their communities.
Hosts are encouraged to develop engagement and legacy programmes targeting young people and their families in the lead-up to, during and after the YOG. These cover a wide range of activities such as sports initiations, school activities, concerts, art performances and mass events.
Previous editions have supported youth empowerment and social development, in line with local priorities such as education, social inclusion, gender equality, protection from harassment and abuse, and tackling poverty. Young people are included in decision-making processes and leadership and volunteer positions, which enables them to develop skills, confidence and experience.
In addition to local communities, a strong vision for the YOG can inspire millions of young people internationally and be a showcase to the world.
Sports benefits
For most young athletes, the YOG present the highest level of competition for their age group.
For the hosts, the YOG offer an opportunity to reinforce elite and grassroot sports development programmes and experience in organising major events.
The YOG are centred on a “Compete, Learn & Share” philosophy. They strive to reach and engage young athletes to learn about and become ambassadors for the Olympic values, explore different cultures, improve training methods and performance, and play an active role in their communities.
The athletes’ experience is at the heart of the YOG. The event provides young elite athletes with opportunities to enhance their long-term athletic development and access future employment both inside and outside the sporting arena.
The YOG are also an opportunity to inform and educate the athletes’ entourage members about ethical principles and motivate them to act in the best interests of young athletes; and to inspire local youth and their communities to participate in sport and physical activities and remain connected to organised sport.
Hosting the YOG enables a host city or region and host country to gain valuable events delivery experience, by improving local skills and setting the ground for other future successes.
Innovations
The YOG act as an incubator for new ideas; and YOG hosts have tested a number of innovations that have been successfully adopted for other competitions, including the Olympic Games.
Previous YOG editions have tested new sports and disciplines, such as BMX freestyle, 3x3 basketball, breaking, kitesurfing, beach handball, ski mountaineering, ski-cross and more, many of which have now been integrated into the Olympic Games. Innovation at the YOG goes beyond sport, and the versatility of the event also provides a valuable platform to explore and implement advances in broadcast operations, technology, event delivery, spectator experience and youth engagement.
Sustainable approach
Hosts are invited to leverage the unique platform provided by the YOG to engage the world’s youth and to reflect and promote their interests and concerns around sustainability.
As one of the five themes of Olympic Agenda 2020+5, the IOC’s roadmap for the future, sustainability needs to be addressed by all potential YOG hosts from the beginning of their project. This is understood to cover the environment, gender equality, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding and mental health, and human and child rights.
For the YOG to fulfil their mission to be truly sustainable, the Games vision and plan must align with existing long-term socio-economic development plans and strategies for youth and sports.
Furthermore, in line with reforms to make hosting and organising Olympic Games more cost-efficient, climate-friendly and better suited to the local context, only existing and temporary venues may be used. Hosts are invited to consider innovative alternatives to new venues, including venues outside the host city, region or country, if no suitable local facility exists.
The IOC requests hosts to implement eco-friendly practices such as reducing resource consumption and waste, protecting biodiversity and using public transport.
Economic benefits
Hosting the YOG raises the profile of the host, attracting investment and visitors, and boosting local skills while using local suppliers and event operators.
More information
Factsheet: Hosting the Youth Olympic Games
The Future Host Questionnaire for the Winter Youth Olympic Games