Compared with the Olympic Games, the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is more focused on cultural and educational activities for young people.
In Nanjing, a city full of love, youthful vigor and a rich culture, we hope to deliver an exciting next round of the YOG. Our concept fully embraces the Olympic Values of Excellence, Respect and Friendship, with diversified sports, education and culture programs to inspire young people to develop healthy lifestyle and a sports spirit, and to promote the integration of cultural and educational programs and sports competitions. With creative workshops, forums, arts and sports festivals we aim to encourage the youth of the world to take part in many activities in tandem with the Games.
We hope the NYOG will inspire young people to respect others, to be friendly to each other, to share in the outstanding cultural achievements of mankind, to create a better world and to contribute their time and energy to the Olympic Games.
Concept
Based on the concept of the YOG from the International Olympic Committee (YOGOC), the 2014 NYOG will take advantage of new media to attract the youth of the world to participate in the YOG, and promote the concept of cultural and educational exchange, and sports competitions. The culture and education exchange plan are designed by young people, for young people and are focused on presenting the characteristics of young people. These plans will combine knowledgeable, interesting and interactive things together, which give all of the participants not only the feelings of learning, responsibility, sharing, happiness and growing up, but also consistency and promotion of the development of the Olympic spirit.
Elements
The 2014 NYOG will be complemented by a series of cultural and educational activities for young people, focusing on elements of the Olympic Games, technological development, overall happiness, healthy lifestyles and social responsibility.
Three sections
Before the YOG：Laying the Foundation
The Nanjing Youth Olympic Games Organization Committee will put every effort into seeking support and participation from local society. It will organize activities promoting the Olympic concepts and sporting events in various arenas such as schools and youth organizations. It will also use new media to create NOC interactive programs, in order to inspire passion and awareness for the YOG in the whole of society. These activities will lay a solid foundation and create a favourable environment which will ultimately contribute to the success of the NYOG.
During the YOG: A Festival of Youth
The competition days themselves represent a wonderful opportunity for greater unity and shared celebration for the young people of the world. Young people will be able to show off their passion and dynamism fully during the competition. The YOGOC will do its utmost for young people and youth communities around the world to build an interactive platform where friendship can be promoted, the Olympic spirit can be passed on and further developed, and cultural exchange can be accelerated on the basis of mutual respect. Three programs themed Healthy Growth, Cultural Experience and Youth Carnival will be designed according to different principles and scheduled to alternate with competitions, helping the participants to make easier choices according to their own timetables and preferences. The participants in each program will receive a special gift as an incentive.
After the YOG: Continuing Influence
The pursuit of the Olympic and Youth Olympic spirit will continue, and the exchange of culture, education and sports among nations will be perpetuated even after the Nanjing 2014 YOG is over. Young people can continue to surpass themselves in continuous innovation. The development of the Olympic spirit can be sustained, and a rich cultural heritage will be forever left to Nanjing and the world.
