The Youth Olympic Games and the Olympic ideal

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book is designed to provide a philosophical and policy context for the analysis of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG). It examines the aspects of the bidding, financing and delivery of the Games while the final part explores the emerging impact of the Games on the basis of the experience of Singapore and Innsbruck. The book then examines the legacy of the Singapore and Innsbruck Games. It also explores the editors review the early experience of the YOG and its impact. The book also discusses the recurring theme of the tension between the developmental function of elite youth sport competition and the cultural and educational objectives of the YOG. Finally, it concludes with a series of recommendations directed at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and designed to strengthen and consolidate the YOG as a distinctive and valued element in the Olympic Movement.