Under a magnificent blue autumn sky, the Opening Ceremony of the Games of the XVIII Olympiad was filled with exciting moments, in particular when Japanese athlete Yoshinori Sakai, born on 6 August 1945 and nicknamed “Hiroshima Baby”, lit the Olympic cauldron in a symbolic gesture of peace and hope. At the end of the Ceremony, Japanese jet planes formed the Olympic rings in the sky.   

By George Hirthler

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is pleased to announce the names of the Young Reporters who will be covering the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Lausanne 2020 next January as part of the IOC Young Reporters programme. 

As the world celebrates International Volunteer Day on 5 December, we speak to one of the incredible volunteers who helped make the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Buenos Aires 2018 such a great success.

Elite athletes are no strangers to being role models, with their exploits at events such as the Olympic Games inspiring millions of people around the world. But while most only motivate others from afar, 63 current and retired athletes were given the chance to pass on their experiences directly to the young athletes, and to local young people, as part of the Athlete Role Model (ARM) programme at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Buenos Aires 2018.

The River Plate provided the setting as the Techno 293+ windsurfing class and the Nacra 15 catamaran class were joined on the Olympic sailing programme by the IKA Twin Tip Racing kiteboarding class, with all three serving up some excellent entertainment for the spectators.

The universality of judo was very much a reality in Buenos Aires, with podium finishes for numerous nations, for men and women alike. The competitions ended with an innovative international mixed team event, which was marked by the Olympic spirit of friendship, excellence and respect.

A radio journalist from Dominica had barely travelled outside the Caribbean before winning the Young Reporters award as the flagship IOC programme proves its worth.