Nanjing, Peoples Republic of China, won its bid for the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games over Poznan, Poland by a vote of 47 to 42.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge said of the decision, “we had two outstanding candidatures from two fantastic cities. Both expressed the spirit of the Youth Olympic Games and both were capable of staging the event. We are looking forward to working with Nanjing and are confident the Youth Olympic Games in 2014 will be a success”.
About 3,600 athletes ages 14 to 18 are expected to compete in 26 sports competitions.
President Rogge will soon establish a Coordination Commission to assist Nanjing throughout its preparation period. He said, “the preparation period for the second summer edition of the Youth Olympic Games will take four-and-a-half years, which will allow Nanjing to match both the expectations of the IOC and the athletes in producing a program of sport, culture and education that is of the very highest standard”.
Nanjing became the first Youth Olympic Games host city directly elected in an IOC Session. Previously Singapore 2010 and Innsbruck 2012 were selected by IOC members via a postal vote.
