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Australian Youth Olympic Festival, 14-18 January 2009

Background:

Based on the model of the hugely successful European Youth Olympic Festival, the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (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 importantly has the patronage of the International Olympic Committee.

Introduction

The BOA’s mission in participating in this Olympic Festival is a key component within our strategy to discover future Olympic Champions, provide them with a multi-sport environment reminiscent of an Olympic Games and promote the Olympic ideals of fair play, honesty, and pride in representing and competing for Team GB.

As such, the Festival strives to provide a true Olympic experience to young competitors, and the Opening Ceremony incorporates the traditions of an Olympic Games with an athlete’s parade, athletes and official’s oath, lighting of the festival flame, and the raising of the Olympic Flag. Click here to visit the AYOF 2009 website.

Participating Countries

The Festival grows from strength to strength. 1,172 athletes competed in 2003, 1,242 in 2005 and over 1,500 in 2007. Anticipated athletes competing in 2009 will be roughly 1,550 in 15 Olympic sports.

Alongside Great Britain, 22 other countries including Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oceania, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Chinese, Taipei and USA will be competing.

Team GB

The 2009 AYOF is the second time that Great Britain has been invited to compete in the AYOF.  106 Team GB athletes attended the 2007 AYOF with 91 returning to the UK with at least one medal.  Great Britain finished with a highly credible 14 gold, 20 silver and 14 bronze medals. Eight athletes from Team GB’s 2007 delegation competed for Great Britain at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.  They were:

Hockey:                Charlotte Craddock, Ashley Jackson

Gymnastics:          Louis Smith, Daniel Keatings

Diving:                 Tonia Couch, Tom Daley

Rowing:                Tom Lucy

Taekwondo:          Aaron Cook 

Click here to view testimonials from these athletes in relation to their experiences at the 2007 AYOF.         

Team GB, under the BOA’s organisation, will comprise 120 athletes and 63 officials competing in the following 11 sports, incorporating 16 Olympic disciplines:

Archery                                                      Hockey

Canoe/Kayak (flatwater & slalom)                Rowing

Diving                                                        Shooting

Equestrian                                                 Triathlon

Fencing                                                      Volleyball (Beach)

Gymnastics 

Team GB Handbook

Click below to download the Official Team GB Handbook for AYOF 2009:

- Section 1, Section 2, Section 3, Section 4.