Youth Olympians celebrate success by sounding the gong
The Chinese city of Nanjing was host of the Youth Olympic Games that were held from 16-28 August. The Dutch Youth Olympic Team won 12 medals in total; three gold, four silver and five bronze. They celebrate their success together with Chef de Mission Mark Huizinga, by sounding the gong.
The International Olympic Committee IOC organized the event for talented youngsters, between the ages of 14 and 18, for the first time in 2010 in Singapore. 3.800 top athletes from 200 countries took part in this second edition in Nanjing. The Youth Olympic Games are organized for elite performance, but also meant as an incentive for young athletes to continue on the long and often difficult road to the senior elite top. The absolute highlight of course being participation in the senior Olympic Games. Very important is that the participants experience international competition, that they meet peers from other sports and from different countries. For NOC*NSF the top sports program during the Youth Olympic Games has the highest priority. Besides the sports program, NOC*NSF also stimulates the Dutch participants to join the accompanying cultural programs. This way they are introduced to the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.
For more information: www.nocnsf.nl/nanjing2014