Oct 06, 2018
2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Let the games begin! Today’s Doodle celebrates the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games, held this year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Over 200 countries will take part this year, sending thousands of athletes age 15-18 to the summer games.
Described by the International Olympic Committee as “an elite sporting event for young people from all over the world,” the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are much like the Olympic Games (OG) in many respect. They have a mascot—this year it’s Pandi the teen jaguar, who loves sports and is native to Argentina. The games occur every four years in a different city and country with summer and winter editions. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded for first, second, and third place — this year designed by 18-year-old Farid Husen from Indonesia.
This year kiteboarding and BMX freestyle park will make their debuts, as well as a new version of handball that’s played on the beach. Football (aka soccer) is out, in favor of futsal — an indoor game played on a smaller hard court. This year will also feature mixed gender events as well as mixed National Olympic Committee events, bringing athletes from different countries together on the same team. Athletes are not the only young people who can get involved in YOG. There are also opportunities for Young Reporters, Ambassadors and Athlete Role Models. Besides showing off their athletic skills, participants take part in workshops and other activities designed to expose young people to different cultures and instill the Olympic Values: Friendship, Respect and Excellence as well as Determination, Inspiration, Courage and Equality.
Good luck to all the athletes at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games!
Doodle by Cynthia Yuan Cheng and Vrinda Zaveri
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