France, Oct. 30 -- The Youth Olympic Games are a relatively recent creation in the history of the Olympic movement, which began in 1896.

In 2007, Jacques Rogge, then president of the International Olympic Committee, proposed launching a competition for athletes aged 14 to 18. He was concerned about childhood obesity, declining participation in sport and the difficulty young people faced in finding solid role models.

The Summer Youth Olympic Games were launched with two objectives: to create a global sporting event, and an educational environment in which young people could exchange ideas on health, nutrition, ethics and Olympic values.

The cultural and educational programme was incorporated from the outset at the first Games in Singapo...