Rogge planning Youth Games expansion

IOC president Jacques Rogge is planning to expand future Youth Olympic Games and introduce a Culture and Education Programme into the traditional Olympics as early as Rio in 2016.

In a question-and-answer session with selected young athletes at the inaugural Youth Games, the Belgian also said the format of some sports, which were adapted for Singapore, may be introduced in the traditional Olympics.

These include three-on-three basketball and male and female mixed team events, which in Singapore included the triathlon and swimming relay races.

‘We will look at expanding these events in the future,’ the International Olympic Committee chief said as the August 14-26 Games drew to a close.

‘I am a fan of mixed events -- we are considering adding them to the summer Olympic line up.’

A key difference between the Youth Olympics and traditional Olympics has been the simultaneous running of cultural and education programmes for athletes.

These have been designed to help them understand Olympic values and global issues, while instilling a sense of social responsibility and educating them about healthy lifestyles and managing their careers.

Rogge admitted that corporate sporting groups were initially concerned that it would not be well received because athletes would be more focused on competition.

But he was happy his brainchild proved to be a winner.

‘They thought it might not be useful or work well with the athletes, but now I don't have to prove it to them any more,’ he said.

‘We are most definitely considering introducing a limited culture and education programme into the traditional Olympic Games.

‘There is definitely a place for it -- it's too late for London (in 2012) but perhaps in Rio (in 2016). We have to see how we can adapt it for the different age category.’

He also revealed that the IOC is in talks to prepare a similar youth format for the Paralympics.

‘We are going to do something for the Paralympics in the same vein as this -- it is definitely something we are looking at,’ he said.

The next summer Youth Olympics will be held in Nanjing, China, in 2014 with a winter version in Innsbruck in 2012.