Approved in July 2007 by the International Olympic Committee,
the inaugural 2010 Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) will be followed by the 2012 Winter YOG,
2014 Summer YOG, 2016 Winter YOG ... and so on ... in alternate years to the current "Professional" Olympic
Games.
Wait a minute. Not so fast.
Consider that at this time, it goes against common sense for humanity to accept further International Olympic Committee global
events at the moment we seek to protect our children by reducing carbon emissions.
The Youth Olympic Games would sensibly be launched in global celebration
once we have resolved the risk of climate change.
BEIJING, October 30 (WSJ) - China issued a major policy on climate change Wednesday, acknowledging its own growing contribution
to the problem and its increased vulnerability to a warming planet, but arguing that rich nations should pay poorer countries
for the giant costs of cleaning up.
The 44-page report comes ahead of an international conference
on climate change next month in Beijing, organized by the U.N. and the Chinese government to help promote the exchange of
green technologies.
Even more crucial will be a meeting in December in Poland to start negotiations over what to do
after the U.N.-backed Kyoto Protocol on climate change expires in 2012.
MOSCOW, October 24 (AFP) – Polar bears are dying out in the remote Arctic region of Chukotka
because of melting ice and increased killing by humans, an expert with the International Fund for
Animal Welfare warned on Friday.
"If this tendency continues, the population will disappear very quickly,
said Nikita Ovsyanikov, a researcher from Wrangel Island natural park in Chukotka who has
spent the past 18 years studying polar bears in the region.
"We need to create new protected areas in the Arctic,"
said Ovsyanikov, who has conducted research on behalf of IFAW.
The shrinking of the Arctic ice sheet is forcing more
bears to live on land in the summer where they often have trouble finding food, which means they have to go into villages
to scavenge and are more likely to be shot, he said.
Polar bear furs are also becoming
increasingly popular in Russia, where the killing of polar bears is strictly forbidden except for self-defence. IFAW estimates
around 100 polar bears are killed illegally in Russia every year.
There are a total of around 22,000 polar bears in
the Arctic. Five thousand of them live between Chukotka and the US state of Alaska and are being forced further and further
north because of the melting ice, IFAW said.
Rogge to stand again as IOC President during election next year in Copenhagen
ATHENS, Oct 24 (Reuters) - International Olympic Committee (IOC) President
Jacques Rogge informed his organisation's members on Friday he intended to stand for a second term in office, the IOC
said.
IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said the 66-year-old Rogge, first elected in 2001 for an eight-year
term, had sent a letter to all members saying he would run for a second term during the election to be held next year in Copenhagen,
Denmark.
No other IOC member has announced their intention to run for the position of president and Rogge is likely
to win unopposed.
IOC Vice President Lambis Nikolaou said there would not be another candidate. "When an
acting president is up for re-election there has never been anyone standing against him and this will be the case next year
as well," Nikolaou said.
The Beijing Olympic Games turned out to be a financial success for the IOC,
whose revenues are set to continue to grow into the next four-year period despite the global economic downturn. The IOC was
under constant criticism for awarding the Games to China given the country's human rights record. Rogge had defended the
IOC's decision saying the Games were a force for good.
Rogge, a Belgian, succeeded Juan Antonio
Samaranch as only the eighth IOC President since the organisation was founded in 1894, two years prior to the first modern
Games.
His second term, should he win, will only be for four years following changes to the duration
of the president's term since the time of Samaranch, who spent 21 years as IOC chief.
Rogge presided
over his first Games as IOC chief in Salt Lake City in 2002 and at his first summer Olympics in Athens four years ago. He
also presided over the Turin 2006 and Beijing 2008 Olympics. If he wins his second term he will be in charge for two more
Games -- the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and the London 2012 Summer Games.
Rogge is also responsible for creating
the Youth Olympic Games, a tool aimed at attracting a new generation of future Olympians and a younger global audience.
An orthopaedic surgeon by profession, Rogge has a 40-year involvement with the Olympics, as a sportsman, a national
Olympic team official and as an IOC member since 1991. He also competed in three editions of the Games as a yachtsman from
1968 to 1976. By Karolos Grohmann
The Lausanne Summit took place between 9 and 11 October, 2008. The event brought
together representatives from bidding and host cities of the Summer, Winter and Youth Olympic Games for a two-day session
entitled The Road to Olympic Host City Success.
Dmitry Chernyshenko, President and CEO of Sochi 2014, said: "Sochi
2014 is working closely with the IOC at all levels of Games preparation to ensure the lasting legacy for Russia and the Olympic
movement".
The Mayor presented new Sochi government departments overseeing aspects of infrastructure
serving the Games - such as roads management and construction processes. Federal Target Programs have also been implemented
to ensure that the readying of Sochi and the Krasnodar region for 2014 is achieved within a broader plan to make the region
a global Winter Sports hub and regional economic centre. This will help to promote healthy living for generations of Russians
and promote greater social awareness of the millions of Russians living with disabilities.
Afanasenkov
said: "Sochi has substantial experience of hosting high-profile events, and we understand very clearly what is required
for a truly memorable event in 2014. Because of this, we have remodelled the organizational structure of the Sochi administration,
and this will help us continue to rise to the challenge in the years ahead".
Why hasn't the International Olympic Committee announced the Youth Olympic Games to the United States public?
Athletes from Singapore are being chosen this weekend for the proposed 2010 Youth Olympic Games. So
why is the International Olympic Committee hesitant to announce YOG to the United States public? What are they waiting
for?
The Straits Times, Singapore, October 17, 2008- THEY would readily exchange every medal and trophy they have won
for a chance to represent Singapore at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). That is how badly the Ban brothers - Dylan, 14,
and Benjamin, 12 - want to be part of the inaugural Games in Singapore.
The paddlers are two of 33 youngsters who
will take part in the Singapore Table Tennis Association's three-day YOG selection trials today, Monday and Tuesday.
Why not use the Youth Olympic Games to Protect Youth instead of Hurt Youth?
The International Olympic Committee can launch the Youth Olympic Games whenever they want. So why launch in 2010 at
the time nations seek to reduce emissions to protect future generations from climate crisis?
Why not
grab the ring and lead? The IOC can take the opportunity now to use YOG as an incentive to fight against climate crisis.
The declaration simple: The International Olympic Committee has decided that 2010 is not the year to launch
the Youth Olympic Games. YOG will be launched when the world has better understanding of the climate crisis. We seek to grab
the world's attention to this issue so that progress can be made toward protecting future generations.
BBC News Reports that Emissions 'Must be Cut by 80%' to below 1990 Levels
The International Olympic Committee's plan to establish the Youth Olympic Games in 2010 and thereafter biannually
is clearly counter to humanity's effort to cut emissions by 80% to below 1990 levels.
Is there a valid reason for the IOC to create the Youth Olympic Games with systemic increasing CO2 emissions when Youth Olympic
Festivals already exist?
The Australian Olympic Committee has set the dates of 14-18 January 2009
for the fourth Australian Youth Olympic Festival for ages 15-20.
The AYOF seeks to provide future Olympic
athletes with an environment reminiscent of an Olympic Games and promote the Olympic ideals of friendship, solidarity and
fair play.
The event has the patronage of the IOC. The five day AYOF embraces a high level of sports competition, and
features elements of the Olympic Games model such as an Opening Ceremony, Medal Ceremonies and Village type accommodation
for athletes and team officials.
The nations invited are: Australia, Argentina, Brazil Canada, China, Denmark,
France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oceania, Singapore,
South Africa, Sweden, Chinese, Taipei and USA.
BEIJING, October 30 (WSJ) - China issued a major policy on climate change Wednesday, acknowledging its own growing contribution
to the problem and its increased vulnerability to a warming planet, but arguing that rich nations should pay poorer countries
for the giant costs of cleaning up.
MOSCOW, October 24 (AFP) – Polar bears are dying out in the remote Arctic region of 
, Singapore, October 17, 2008-
The International Olympic Committee's plan to establish the Youth Olympic Games in 2010 and thereafter biannually
is clearly counter to humanity's effort to cut emissions by 80% to below 1990 levels.
