The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is an international multi-sport event first held in Singapore from 14 to 26 August 2010. The games are held every four years in staggered summer and winter events consistent with the current Olympic Games format. The age limitation of the athletes is between 14 to 18. The idea of such an event was introduced by Johann Rosenzopf from Austria in 1998. On 6 July 2007, International Olympic Committee (IOC) members at the 119th IOC session in Guatemala City approved the creation of a youth version of the Olympic Games. The costs of hosting the event will be shared by the IOC and the host city, while the travel costs of athletes and coaches are paid by the IOC.
While the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics lasted 12 days, the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics lasted ten days. The IOC will allow a maximum of 3,530 athletes and 481 IOC accredited officials to participate the summer games, while 970 athletes and 580 officials are expected to attend the winter games. The Games will also feature cultural exchange programs and opportunities for participants to meet Olympic athletes.