IOC shortlists Glasgow to host 2018 Youth Olympics

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today shortlisted Glasgow in the race to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), praising the city’s record of hosting international sporting events including the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The 2018 YOG Working Group report stated that Glasgow’s Bid would also build on the success of the London 2012 Olympic Games creating a powerful and impactful YOG, appealing to athletes and young people across the globe, while representing minimal risk to the IOC.

At a press conference at the IOC’s Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, President Jacques Rogge announced Glasgow would join two other cities on the shortlist for the next stage of the process which will see IOC members vote for the winning Candidate City in July.

More than 100 young people gathered in Central Station, Glasgow's main rail terminal, for a contemporary dance flashmob to celebrate the news, calling on the UK public to back the Bid to bring the 2018 YOG to Glasgow.

The report from the YOG Working Group, headed by German Olympic silver medallist and world champion fencer, Claudia Bokel, said Glasgow’s Bid was built on good use of existing venues and experience of hosting international multi-sport creating a double legacy from the London 2012 Olympic Games and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. It added that Glasgow’s budget was consistent with the programme being proposed for the YOG with guarantees provided by the Bid Team being described as “clear and good quality.”

Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Medellin (Colombia) were shortlisted along with Glasgow and the three cities will now go forward to be assessed by the IOC Evaluation Commission in April before the final IOC vote in July.