Youth Olympic Games

I just finished watching the broadcasts of the Youth Olympic Games and wanted to give my impressions. First, I was a little underwhelmed. Given that I did not have the anticipation that I would for the Olympics proper, but I think the coverage in the US on Universal Sports cut the drama out. Just some quick highlights for an hour each day, with very little focus on any individual athletes or events. That being said, I did like the idea of keeping the games on a much smaller scale and not trying to become overblown. The qualifying criteria isn't clear, but the smaller fields are appropriate for the youth games.

It doesn't seem as though the YOG became a destination for the top athletes in the age group. In women's gymnastics and swimming there are plenty of teenage world class athletes, but the only familiar face I could find was British world diving champion Tom Daley. If athletes want to compete in the YOG as much as they do in the Olympics, then the qualifying procedures must become clearer.

I also liked the idea of the mixed nation teams in some of the sports. There should continue to be a focus on sportsmanship and camaraderie amongst the athletes from throughout the world and not an attempt to make it a younger version of the Olympics.