The 2014 Youth Olympics are now just under two years away and Nikolaou - standing in for Russia's Alexander Popov, who was absent for personal reasons - said that the Commission were fully confident that the event will be delivered on time due to the great collaboration between all the key partners. 

“We are delighted to see the progress made by NYOGOC with just under two years to go,” said the 76-year-old from Athens (pictured).

“The operational planning stage is a critical phase in which they start to turn their vision into reality.

“The support from both central and regional Governments and local partners is very positive and together they are on the right track to delivering a successful second Youth Olympic Games.”

During the visit, the Commission looked at all areas of the organisation for the event and visited key construction sites, such as the Olympic Village which will become a housing facility, school and kindergarten after the Games. 

The IOC Commission are happy with Nanjing's preparations for the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games

The Commission also visited the site of the Youth Olympic Sports Park, one of the only sports venues to be built from scratch for the Games.
The Sports Park will be home to hockey, BMX, rugby and beach volleyball during the Games before being transformed into a community sports facility afterwards.

The volunteer recruitment process for the event is also under way with an estimated 20,000 volunteers set to offer their support while the venue master plan is close to finalisation, with 26 competition venues now confirmed.

Nanjing 2014 will be the second edition of the Summer Youth Olympics after Singapore hosted the inaugural event in 2010 while Innsbruck hosted the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games in January this year.

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