Seven sports are vying to be represented at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games on October 6-18 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Speaking during a press conference in Suva yesterday, Tomasi Tiko said it was an honour to be selected as the chef de mission for Team Fiji as he anticipates a great exposure for our young athletes.

“It is a good opportunity for athletes to participate internationally and get exposure,” he said.

“Also, it is a good pathway for athletes to make it to the national teams. This year there will be 32 sports taking part in the Youth Olympics and also for the first time there will be equal number of male and female athletes participating.”

Tiko said the sports that are vying for the Youth Olympics are table tennis, weightlifting, athletics, boxing, swimming, sevens rugby and badminton.

“And of these seven sports we have three that have universality places which means they will be participating whether they qualify or not.

“While for other sports they will need to meet the qualifying times to qualify. Some sports have already done their qualifiers but have not yet confirmed their athletes.

“It’s also a great privilege for me to serve the youths and the country as well. And the Buenos Aires organising committee has come up with a theme of ‘Buenos Aires celebrates’ which creates opportunity for youths to compete, learn and to share ideas.

“Youth Olympics is also known to initiate and create innovative ideas that help youths to foster the values of the Olympics and also enjoy at the same time.”

YOUNG CHANGE MAKER

FASANOC has announced that Tessa Harman as a Young Change Maker in a programme being run in conjunction with the Youth Olympic Games by the International Olympic Committee.

Tessa is a national hockey representative and a FASANOC Voices of the Athletes champion.

Edited by  Leone Cabenatabua

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