Youth Olympic sports
Introduction
The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are an international multi-sport event organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The games are held every four years in staggered summer and winter events consistent with the current Olympic Games format. The YOG are designed to integrate sport with education and culture, inspiring participants to live in the spirit of the Olympic Movement and become true ambassadors of their home countries. This article will delve into the various sports that are part of the Youth Olympic Games.
Summer Youth Olympic Sports
The Summer Youth Olympic Games include a wide variety of sports. Some of these are similar to those in the traditional Summer Olympic Games, while others are unique to the YOG.
Athletics
Athletics is a collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and racewalking. The results of racing events are decided by finishing position (or time, where measured), while the jumps and throws are won by the athlete that achieves the highest or furthest measurement from a series of attempts.
Swimming
Swimming has been a sport at every modern Summer Olympics. It has the second-largest number of events (after athletics). The competition takes place in a swimming pool, and events are held in four main strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.
Gymnastics
Gymnastics at the Youth Olympic Games includes three disciplines: artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline. Each discipline requires different physical skills but all share the common aim of performing as many perfect routines as possible.
Winter Youth Olympic Sports
The Winter Youth Olympic Games also include a variety of sports that are similar to those in the traditional Winter Olympic Games, as well as some that are unique to the YOG.
Ice Hockey
Ice hockey is a contact team sport played on ice, usually in a rink, in which two teams of skaters use their sticks to shoot a vulcanized rubber puck into their opponent's net to score points. The sport is known to be fast-paced and physical.
Skiing
Skiing can be a means of transport, a recreational activity or a competitive winter sport in which the participant uses skis to glide on snow. Variations of purpose include basic transport, a recreational activity, or a competitive winter sport.
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a winter sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow while standing on a board attached to a rider's feet, using a special boot set onto a mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing, and skiing.