Mixed-gender events and 3-on-3 basketball are among the innovations for the inaugural Summer Youth Olympics in Singapore in 2010. The International Olympic Committee executive board approved the sports program Wednesday for the games, which will feature about 3,600 athletes aged 14-18 competing in 26 sports for 201 medals. The number of sports is identical to the program for the 2012 London Olympics. Among the changes, however, will be the halfcourt 3-on-3 basketball format and mixed-gender or mixed-team events in numerous sports, including athletics and cycling. The program includes mixed relays in swimming and modern pentathlon. To ensure broad participation, each of the 205 national Olympic committees will be guaranteed spots for at least four athletes. Continental teams will take part in football, handball, hockey and volleyball. The host for the first Youth Winter Olympics in 2012 will be announced Friday. The candidates are Innsbruck, Austria, and Kuopio, Finland. The Youth Olympics are a personal project of IOC president Jacques Rogge in his mission to fight obesity and encourage young people to take part in sports.
