Analysis Of The Youth Olympic Games

The Youth Olympic Games have grown from strength to strength since the inaugural Games hosted in Singapore in 2010. With each edition it evolves and with it, the Learn and Share Programme through the feedback provided by the athletes own experiences in the past editions of the Youth Olympic Games. As highlighted by (Burbank, Andranovich, & Heying, 2001; Fredline & Faulkner, 2001) there is a high amount of importance on the social values among stakeholders (NOCs, Spectators etc.) created through events and this includes the YOG. Chalip (2006) further points show researchers should focus more on the social leverage effects of sporting events. To date the vast majority of research and literature investigates the social behaviour of spectators;

Olympic Education: The main emphasis of Olympism is based on its educational mandate, which is outlined in the Fundamental Principles of the Olympic Charter (IOC, 2016b). Fundamental Principle #1 - Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, social responsibility and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.

Numerous researchers (Muller, 2004; Parent et al., 2015) claim that within Fundamental Principles, there is a clear component of teaching with the emphasis on the key values that should be observed on day to day bases which are brought to the front and are part of the Learn and Share Programme at the Youth Olympic Games. But how can the IOC leverage on Olympic Education tools to continue the Learn and Share programme past the Youth Olympic Games period to reach out to athletes and encourage them to participate in educational programmes which teach these values and ensure they can be developed (IOC,