Youth Olympic Games opens with a bang

The show included a massive human air-ballet comprised of acrobats hoisted into the air on harnesses, forming a tower of humans that twisted, turned and flipped. It symbolised one of Nanjing’s key themes – the building of a dream.

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International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach delivered a welcome speech in which he asked all young athletes to take out their smart phones, take a picture and tweet it using #YOGselfie. He encouraged them to share this moment around the world saying, “By sending this selfie… you are sending a strong message around the world.”

The finale of the Opening Ceremony included the arrival of the Olympic torch, which was lit on top of the stadium roof by the explosion of several fireworks.

Rowing will get underway today, 17 August, at the Rowing and Canoeing School Centre on the Xuanwu Lake. The competition spans five days, with the first day holding heats in all four categories: men’s and women’s single sculls and men’s and women’s pairs. The finals will be held on Wednesday 20 August. On Thursday 21 August an international sprint relay will take place with athletes from different nations competing together. 

Results from the racing are available on our website: http://www.worldrowing.com/events/youth-olympic-games-regatta/