Gerardo Werthein, President of the Argentine Olympic Committee and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that Buenos Aires is bidding to host the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games.
Werthein is in Innsbruck for the start of the Winter Youth Games and submitted a letter Friday to IOC President Jacques Rogge to confirm Buenos Aires’ bid.
Werthein said, “I am happy to confirm that Buenos Aires will bid to host the 3rd Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2018. We believe that Buenos Aires would be an excellent host city for this exciting new addition to the Olympic sports calendar.
“We stand ready to be the IOC’s perfect partner for this special event and look forward to formally signing the YOG Candidature documents in March. Our aim is help spread the positive values of Olympism amongst young people in Argentina, South America and across the world”.
Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri confirmed his full support for the bid in a letter to President Rogge. He added, “for us it would be an immense privilege to welcome the youth of the world to our city in 2018. Buenos Aires is one of the world’s most exciting and hospitable cities, with first class infrastructure and a true passion for sport.
“We believe we have a lot to offer as a city and as a bid and we are proud to give our full and absolute support to the National Olympic Committee”.
Interested cities have until March 1 to submit a bid to the IOC. A decision on the 2018 host city will be made in June 2013.
