Introduction to the 2nd Youth Olympic Games

The 2nd Youth Olympic Games, officially known as Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games was held at Nanjing, China from 16-28 August, 2014. More than 3,000 athletes from 204 different countries and regions participated in 29 different sports in the said Games.

The opening ceremony started with several traditional Chinese performances, among them the lion dance and opening performance included five acts showcasing China’s history and culture. The organizers said the show represented a younger version of the Chinese Dream. 

The crowd of 62,480 present rose up and gave a resounding welcome when China’s President Xi Jinping and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach entered the stadium.

This was followed by the march past of the 204 contingents taking part, starting with Greece, in tribute to where the Olympics started, followed by China and the other nations.

The spectators were then entertained to the theme song of the Games, ‘Dreams Everlasting’, which was delivered by Lei Jia, who has a soprano voice.

This was followed by a cycling acrobatic show by a group of teenagers and a choreographed performance titled ‘Light up the Future’ which showcased the history and progress of China.

The theme of the Closing Ceremony entertainment programme was “Youth in Full Bloom”, and it opened with giant letters spelling out the word Nanjing, as 2000 singers and dancers transformed the arena into a symphony of sound, colour and movement, as 800 fireworks set the Nanjing night sky ablaze.

2,500 lighting devices contributed to an incredible riot of colour that filled the stadium, while the music, ranging from modern pop to traditional Chinese instrumental, and a dance programme that took spectators on a visually stunning journey around all five continents, interspersed with sequences that invoked highlights from the 12 days of sporting competition in Nanjing, along with the many cultural and educational activities that captured the imagination and enthusiasm of the athletes. There was also a much deserved tribute to the thousands of volunteers, who had helped make the Games such a glittering success.

At the end of the hour-long show, the Olympic flame was extinguished, as the celebrations inside the stadium continued. The party in Nanjing was clearly set to go on through the night, but with new friendships forged, and dreams and aspirations bolstered, it was time for everyone to bid farewell, in the hope of reuniting on the Olympic stage in the not too distant future

Participating Nations

204

Sports/Events

29
Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Canoeing, Cycling, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Golf, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Modern Pentathlon, Rowing, Rugby Sevens, Sailing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Weightlifting, Wrestling.

Medal Tally of 2nd Youth Olympic Games

The top three winners were: China, Russia, and Mixed NOCs.