Following a vote by IOC members at the Extraordinary IOC Session in Lausanne, Switzerland on Thursday, IOC President Jacques Rogge announced that Buenos Aires will host the Summer Youth Olympic Games in '18. Buenos Aires was elected ahead of Glasgow, Scotland and Medellín, Colombia. Voting took place in two rounds, with Buenos Aires leading the way with 40 votes, followed by Medellín with 32 and Glasgow with 13 in Round 1. In Round 2, Buenos Aires beat out Medellín 49-39 (IOC).
BUENOS AIRES: The DPA reported Argentine Olympic Committee (COA) President Gerardo Werthein said, "This is historic, the result of great teamwork. Decades ago Buenos Aires lost against Melbourne by only one vote for the 1956 Summer Games." Buenos Aires Head of City Government Mauricio Macri said, "It is an enormous pleasure, an enormous amount of teamwork. There was nothing easy about winning this, which is an event that has taken a lot and has a lot of importance internationally. We will see how we organize it in '18" (DPA, 7/4).
GLASGOW: The AYRSHIRE POST reported Britain's most successful Olympian, Chris Hoy, "was part of a delegation at IOC headquarters" to make the final presentation, and was joined by British Olympic Association Chair Sebastian Coe. Glasgow 2018 organizers were "disappointed" but congratulated the winners (AYRSHIRE POST, 7/4).
MEDELLÍN: EL TIEMPO reported Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said, "Well done, Colombia and Medellín. In the bid to host the Summer Youth Olympic Games, we remain united in our athletic goals." Medellín Mayor Aníbal Gaviria said, "We waved the flags of the city and the country high" (EL TIEMPO, 7/4).
