Olympism and Youth

Internationally, governments are trying to encourage a more active lifestyle among their yet still fewer young people are joining elite sports, is Youth Olympics the solution to this dilemma? How can the Olympic Movement play a part in making young people move?

Have video games taken over, are green areas underprioritised in urban areas, how can sport reclaim the interst of the youth?

The IOC has re-invented the Youth Olympics as a means to conquering the hearts and minds of the youth, but will they respond? Is it just a move to ensure a youthful TV-audience and make sponsors happier? What is the probability that the Youth Olympics will convince young people to do sport? 

At the IOC Congress in Copenhagen 2009 the delegates are asked “Is competitive sport still appealing?” – what will the young generation answer?