Recommended by the International Olympic Committee President, Jacques Rogge in 2007, the IOC unanimously voted in agreement and chose Singapore as the first city to host this event from August 14 – 26, 2010.

The vision of the Youth Olympic Games is to inspire young people between the ages of 14 -18 to participate in sport and adopt the Olympic values. Focussing on sport, education and culture, the vision also emphasises and encourages young people to play an active role in their communities.



 The main objectives of the Youth Olympic Games are:

• To bring together the world’s best young athletes and celebrate them.
• To offer a unique and powerful introduction to Olympism.
• To innovate in educating and debating Olympic values and challenges of society.
• To share and celebrate the cultures of the world in a festive atmosphere.
• To reach youth communities throughout the world to promote Olympic values
• To raise sports awareness and participation among young people.
• To act as a platform for initiatives within the Olympic movement.
• To be an event of the highest international sporting standard.

It is estimated that around 3,600 athletes will assemble in Singapore for 12 days of competition. The Games will comprise of 26 sports and involve 201 events. The events however will differ significantly from the Olympic games in order to match the age groups and interests of the young athletes. Basketball will for example be played to the 3 on 3 formula with teams of three athletes playing against each other on one half-court. Another important difference is the numerous mixed-gender events in archery, athletics (relay), cycling, equestrian, fencing, judo, pentathlon, swimming, table tennis and triathlon.

Vanuatu is sending representatives for football (boys) and 3 on 3 basketball for the girls, all having been selected by the Vanuatu Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee, VASANOC. They will compete in front of some of the 500,000 expected spectators, 800 media representatives and 20,000 volunteers.