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The fourth Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) promises to be the biggest and most spectacular yet. From 17th - 21st January 2007, over 1600 athletes will represent each continent across 16 Olympic sports.
Based on the model of the hugely successful European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), the AYOF is a bi-annual multi-sport event for Olympic aspirants between the ages of 13 and 19. It is organised and hosted by the Australian Olympic Committee, and has the patronage of the International Olympic Committee.
In 2007, there are four new sports. Football and sailing will make their debut, as well as the two winter Olympic disciplines of figure skating and short track speed skating. The aspiring Olympians will again be afforded the honour of competing at the outstanding venues built for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
The Festival strives to help prepare the young competitors for appearances at future Olympic Games by including protocols such as living in village accommodation, drug testing and all the Olympic traditions such as the Ceremonies, athlete’s parade and taking of oaths. Moreover, the AYOF’s mission is to promote the Olympic ideals of fair play, honesty and pride in your country.
Team GB
2007 marks the first time that Great Britain has been invited to compete in the AYOF and Team GB, under the British Olympic Association’s (BOA’s) organisation will comprise 113 athletes and over 50 officials competing in the following sports:
- Badminton
- Canoe/Kayak (flatwater & slalom)
- Diving
- Figure Skating
- Gymnastics
- Hockey
- Rowing
- Sailing
- Shooting (clay target)
- Table Tennis
- Taekwondo
The BOA recognises the importance of participating in such events for the preparation and development of future Team GB Olympic champions. With the London Olympic Games less than six years away, now is the time to focus on developing our wealth of young talent and following them on the road to potential glory in 2012 and beyond.