During
a July 2007 conference in Guatemala, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted unanimously to launch a new product called
the Youth Olympic Games.
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In February 2008, the IOC named Singapore as
host for the inaugural 2010 Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG). A few months later, the IOC announced Innsbruck as host city for the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games. To be followed by 2014 Summer YOG, 2016 Winter YOG, 2018 Summer
YOG...
In a
BBC news report, IOC President Dr. Jacques Rogge said the purpose of the youth games would be to inspire children
around the world to participate more in sport, with comment that "Today we observe a widespread decline a physical activity
and an increase in obesity."
But is youth obesity the driving motivation behind the Youth Olympic Games? What
about TV ratings and advertising revenues?
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US TV ratings confirm a decline in the valuable advertising youth target market for the Olympics.
At what point will the IOC announce the Youth Olympic Games to the world if not also the US? Will it
be February 2008 so youths may be inspired to think that they too have chance to be that athlete competing
in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games? What about August 2008? The Beijing closing ceremonies would make for an inspirational
announcement by IOC President Rogge.
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Or, will it be July 2010 so TV viewers can plan to watch the Youth Olympic Games 1 month later while
sitting on a couch with their kids? Timing of the official
announcement will reveal a lot about the primary purpose behind the rushed creation of this global mega event.
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Whatever the timing of the announcement, in the eyes of of International Olympic Committee, the benefit of
the Youth Olympic Games outweighs concern about protecting our children from risk of climate change.
