2018 Summer Youth Olympics

Host city and organization

Buenos Aires served as the host city, marking the first time Argentina held a Youth Olympic edition. The event used a mix of existing and temporary venues across the city, with ceremonies, competitions and a range of side programmes coordinated by local and international sporting bodies. Details on the host selection and organising committee are available through official sources such as Buenos Aires organising information and national partners like Argentina's sport authorities.

Participants and format: The Games brought together young athletes from over 200 National Olympic Committees, typically aged in their mid-teens. Competitions featured traditional Olympic sports alongside newer, youth-oriented and urban disciplines. The programme emphasised mixed-NOC teams and innovative event formats designed to encourage interaction among competitors.

Events, venues and programme

Competitions took place at stadia, arenas and temporary sites adapted for a compact city schedule. Alongside medals, the official Culture and Education Programme ran workshops, cultural events and seminars aimed at athlete development, fair play and social responsibility. The compact schedule allowed many events to be staged within a short, intense timetable.

Legacy and significance: The 2018 edition aimed to inspire participation in sport across Argentina and the region, boost local infrastructure and highlight youth engagement in Olympic values. It showcased how major multi-sport events can combine competitive opportunity with education, cultural exchange and urban activation.

Highlights

• Dates: 6–18 October 2018.
• Edition: Third Summer Youth Olympic Games.
• Host: Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• Focus: sport competition plus cultural and educational programmes and mixed‑NOC formats.