At the Guatemala IOC Session in July, there was approval to start the Youth Olympic Games. The bewildered faces on the assembled media said it all---and most of the talk I heard afterward was negative. I really didn't see anyone championing the cause as it seemed it was just sprung upon us, without warning.
I can see one major concern on the horizon that no one has mentioned. Cities that have consistantly lost out on their Olympic bids (think Istanbul, and they are going for 2020 if what various reports saying are correct) or who are deemed by the IOC not good enough to host the "real" Olympics will be steered to the YOG instead. From what I understand, the costs are to be much less than hosting the regular Olympics and I could see in the future, the IOC requiring future bid cities to have a YOG under their belt (or a YOG bid) before moving up to the bigger prize.
OTOH, potential bid cities have ponied up in droves. It's going to be interesting to see how all this works out, as it seems there are a plethora of cities who want to host the 1st. Some of the bid cities have hosted either previous Olympics or IOC Sessions. I am just not convinced---at least not yet.
I am also concerned about very young competitors in an international environment. I'm not so sure putting someone younger than, say, 13 or 14 in such situations is conducive to mental and physical growth. One only has to look at the former East German swimmers, who today are adults and are battling a host of various medical problems and issues.
Let kids BE kids---and not try to push them into adult endeavors before they are ready, physically or emotionally.
