The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently organized a round table meeting with various national Olympic committees, discussing bids to host the Youth Olympic Games. As the “Paris 2024” Games enter their final stages, representatives from over ten countries were invited to this significant gathering.

The event saw participation from notable figures such as Nomin Chinbat, Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth, along with Battushig Batbold, IOC member and President of the Mongolian National Olympic Committee. Mongolia had expressed its intention to host the 2030 or 2034 Summer Youth Olympic Games and the 2027 IOC Conference during the IOC conference held in Mumbai in 2023.

Chaired by IOC member and two-time Olympic champion K. Coventry, the meeting also had contributions from I. Wade, chairman of the organizing committee for the “Dakar 2026” Games, and L. Larrosa, organizer of the “Buenos Aires 2018” Games. These experienced guests shared their invaluable insights on the ideals of the youth festival, the nuances of sports competitions, and the cultural programs implemented during the Games.

The Youth Olympic Games, which debuted in Singapore in 2010, cater to athletes aged 15-18. The most recent Games took place in Gangwon, South Korea, in January 2024. Looking ahead, the next Summer Youth Olympic Games will be hosted in Dakar, starting on October 31, 2026. This landmark event will feature over 5,000 athletes competing in 244 events across 35 sports, marking the first time the Olympic Games will be held in Africa.