Isinbayeva to continue as Youth Olympics ambassador

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sunday announced that two-time Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia will be an official ambassador of the 2014 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Nanjing, China.

The Russian pole vaulter will reprise her role as a YOG Ambassador, following her support and attendance of the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics, which saw over 3,600 elite young athletes from 205 National Olympic Committees compete while also taking part in a unique culture and education Programme off the field of play.

Speaking at an event held in Nanjing, where Isinbayeva enjoyed a tour of the Athletics Stadium and gave a masterclass to young athletes, the YOG Ambassador said: "I am very happy and honoured to continue in my role as a YOG Ambassador for the Nanjing Games. The Youth Olympics are a great platform for young athletes, which I experienced first-hand at the Singapore.

"As well as these Games preparing them for their future sports careers by exposing them to all that comes with a high-level international multi-sports event, such as living in a village and the media interest, I saw for myself how the athletes made the most of the opportunities to make friends with different athletes from different countries, to experience different cultures and to really live the YOG spirit."

The second edition of the Youth Olympics will be held from August 16 to 28.

The programme will feature 28 sports, including golf and rugby sevens, which will make their Olympic debut before their inclusion in the Rio 2016 Olympics. The YOG also feature unique disciplines such as 3-on-3 basketball and 5-a-side hockey, as well as mixed gender and mixed NOC events.