The Sydney Youth Olympic Festival – 10-14 January 2001
The Sydney Youth Olympic Festival (SYOF) is a biannual multi-sport event conducted by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) for young Olympic aspirants between the ages of 15-18yrs. The event will provide the highest level of competition to elite junior athletes in a selection of Summer Olympic Sports and will be a lasting legacy of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The event has the patronage of the International Olympic Committee and is supported by the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) who will participate in the event.
The inaugural SYOF will be held from Wednesday 10 January to Sunday 14 January 2001.
The key organisations involved with the conduct of the SYOF are the Australian Olympic Committee, the New South Wales Government and the National Federations for each sport participating in the SYOF program.
The Sports
The sports on the 2001 SYOF program are: athletics, basketball, canoe/kayak (sprint & slalom), cycling (road, track & mountain bike), hockey, gymnastics (artistic, rhythmic & trampoline), rowing, swimming, triathlon and beach volleyball. It is proposed that in future editions additional sports will be added to the SYOF program.
Each sport competition program has been developed by the respective National Federation and is consistent with their elite athlete development objectives. The events are primarily made up of Australian based competitors with some sports conducting international competition to ensure the standard of competition for the Australian athletes is competitive and will benefit the sport. The National Federations for each sport are responsible for the establishing and conducting the selection criteria for competitors/teams.
The Numbers
The 2001 SYOF will host approximately 2100 athletes and team officials.
The Venues
The SYOF competition and training will be held in Sydney’s Olympic facilities at Sydney Olympic Park and other Olympic venues in the Western suburbs. These include: Sydney International Athletics Centre, Sydney Indoor Sports Halls, Sydney International Regatta Centre, Dunc Gray Velodrome, State Sports Centre, Sydney International Aquatics Centre, Manly Beach and the State Hockey Centre.
The Village
Athletes and team officials will be accommodated in the SYOF Village which will be open from the 10th January. Some athletes and team officials will be accommodated from the 9th of January due to competition/training beginning on the 10th of January. The Village will be located in two locations; Macquarie University, Ryde and St Josephs College, Hunters Hill. The Village will provide athletes and team officials with Olympic style resident services including: accommodation, meals, entertainment, recreational and training facilities. Medical facilities will also be available at the Village.
Planning has begun for activities to enhance the young athletes Olympic education and experiences. Evening presentations will be conducted in the Village, and these will feature a range of topics designed to provide the young athletes with greater insight to their Olympic dreams.
Transport
Return economy air travel will be provided to Australian based athletes and team officials. All international teams will fund their own air travel. Ground transport will be provided for all accredited athletes and team officials upon their arrival into Sydney. This transport includes: airport/train transfers to/from the SYOF Village, daily transport requirements to and from the competition venues; and transportation to and from the opening and closing ceremonies.
Medical and Doping
Athletes and accredited officials will be provided with medical support at designated health care areas within all competition venues and the Village. This support is limited only for illnesses and/or injuries or otherwise sustained as a result of participation in the SYOF.
A doping control program and drug education program will be organised in cooperation with the Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA) including the operation of doping control sample collection areas in the competition venue in accordance with the AOC and National Federation Doping Control policies.
Accreditation
Accreditation passes will be issued to all athletes, team officials, workforce, technical officials, guests and media. Accreditation will be required for access to the SYOF venues and villages.
The Ceremonies
Opening and Closing Ceremonies are planned for the SYOF. The ceremonies will contain elements featured in current Olympic Games ceremonies. Medal ceremonies and medal tallies will also exist for all events. Olympians and key identities in Australian sport will be invited to participate in all ceremonies.
More Information
For further information on the Sydney Olympic Youth Festival contact:
Wilhelmina Pruyn
Phone: 61 2 9297 2276
Fax: 61 2 9297 2019
Email: wilhelmina_pruyn@socog.com.au