2008 Olympic Games

The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are planned to be an international multi-sport event held every four years in staggered summer and winter events complementing the current Olympic Games, and will feature athletes between the ages of 14 and 18. The idea for such an event was envisioned in 2001 by International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge. On July 6, 2007, IOC members at the 119th IOC session in Guatemala City approved the creation of a youth version of the Olympic Games.

The summer version will last at most twelve days, with the first edition taking place in mid-summer of 2010; the winter version will last a maximum of nine days, with the first edition taking place in early spring of 2012. The IOC will allow a maximum of 3,500 athletes and 875 officials to participate at the summer games, while 970 athletes and 580 officials are expected at the winter games. Estimated cost for the game are currently $30 million for the summer and $15 million-$20 million for winter games. However, the final two bids for the inaugural Summer Games have come in at $75 million (Singapore) and $175 million (Moscow), much higher than the estimated costs. Bids with lower budgets were eliminated early in the process.

Each participating country would send at least four athletes. The athlete will be chosen at least 18 months in advance, which suggests that some could be chosen as young as age 12. At least one IOC member critisized the plan, noting that smaller teams from all countries may fail to capture the interest of the media, nations, and the athletes themselves.

The sports contested at these games will be the same as those scheduled for the traditional Games, but with a limited number of disciplines and events. The IOC plans, for example, not to include the water polo and synchronized swimming disciplines of aquatics, as well as the slalom discipline of canoeing on the schedule of events. Other youth-driven sports may eventually be contested if backed by international sports federations. In November 2007, it was revealed that sailing and pentathalon will be included, giving an edge to applicants near water.

Several other Olympic events for youth, like the European Youth Olympic Festival held every other year with summer and winter versions, and the Australian Youth Olympic Festival, have proven successful; the Youth Games would most likely be modeled after these.

As of early November, Athens, Bangkok, Singapore, Moscow and Turin have been selected by the IOC as the five candidate cities among which the host city will be elected in February 2008.

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The Algerian women’s volleyball team will compete for the first time at the Olympic Games. After winning the continental Olympic qualification tournament sustained at home, the Algerian players have obtained their ticket for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Eight nations out of a total of 12 will be making the Olympic journey. The Algerians will be joining China, Italy, Brazil, the USA, Venezuela, Cuba and the Russian Federation. The four remaining places will be allocated at the Asian continental tournament and the world Olympic qualifying tournament taking place in Tokyo (Japan) from 17 to 25 May. The best three teams and the best Asian team will then go to Beijing.

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