ISA PRESIDENT SPREADS SURFING'S YOUTHFUL MESSAGE AT THE YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES

ISA PRESIDENT, FERNANDO AGUERRE, SPREADS SURFING’S YOUTHFUL MESSAGE AT THE YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES

Posted August 28th, 2014 - News Posted for ISA News.

Nanjing, China, August 28, 2014 – Fernando Aguerre, President of the International Surfing Association [ISA], has been at the Youth Olympic Games [YOG] in Nanjing, China this week to witness the Olympic stars of tomorrow and spread Surfing’s youthful message that highlights why more than 35 million young people worldwide are attracted to the sport.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games in China, alongside IOC Vice President Nawal El Moutawakel (far left) and the medalists of the Men’s 2000m Steeplechase race: Ethiopia’s Sidamo Wogene Sebisibe (Gold Medal), Kenya’s Kirui Amos (Silver Medal), and Morocco’s Chemlal Hichman (Bronze Medal).

Aguerre has been present in Nanjing to experience the sporting action and the unique atmosphere and culture of the Games while emphasising the ISA’s commitment and dedication to the Olympic Movement, the YOG concept and the youth of the world.

During his time in Nanjing, Fernando Aguerre also met with several members of the IOC Executive Board and other senior IOC officials to underline further Surfing’s strong desire to join the Olympic Sports Programme, and therefore assist the Olympic Movement to connect with young people and inspire in them the positive values of Olympism.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre with Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games organiser, IOC Member and President of the Argentina National Olympic Committee, Gerardo Werthein at the Sports Lab, where Skateboarding was one of the exhibition sports.

Speaking from Nanjing, Fernando Aguerre, said:

“It’s fantastic to be here at the YOG in Nanjing to promote Surfing – a sport with a unique blend of youth culture, lifestyle and sport performance infused with a dynamic energy that makes it especially relevant for young people all over the world. Surfing has no regard for wealth, status, race, gender or age, which is why the multi-cultural YOG is a perfect platform for global promotion.

“I would like to congratulate the IOC and Nanjing organizers for the outstanding organisation, and especially for the Sports Lab concept which featured new, youth-oriented sports and offered an opportunity for the local public to try and engage in these sports. I have continued to learn and receive valuable feedback from my meetings with Olympic leaders here which is incredibly helpful as we position Surfing going forward within the Olympic context.

“With its engaged base, Surfing connects with the young people like no other sport via powerful social media and marketing platforms – we are at the forefront of youth engagement at a time when this is vital for the Olympic Movement. The new wave technology that is about to revolutionise our sport is also set to open up Surfing to millions more people around the world. The values of Olympism are embedded in Surfing’s culture and with our youthful vibe and global reach, we would bring excitement, fun and value to the Olympic Games.”

Fernando Aguerre, ISA President has been at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China to spread surfing’s youthful message and the ISA’s commitment and dedication to the Olympic Movement.

The ISA currently has 86 member nations all over the world and in recent years there has been a drive for expansion in new markets such as Asia, Latin America and Africa. Surfing’s booming popularity in these markets shows the universality of the sport and its great appeal amongst young people.

In addition to its unique culture, the sport also carries financial value. It is estimated that Surfing is a 22 billion dollar business with websites, social media channels, magazines, newspapers, TV networks and radio stations – most of them 100% dedicated to the sport and focussed on the youth demographic.

Yoder finishes fourth on parallel bars at 2014 Youth Olympic Games

26/08/2014, Nanjing, Multi Sports, Youth Olympic Games, Article # 3710973

Yoder finishes fourth on parallel bars at 2014 Youth Olympic Games

NANJING, China, Aug. 25, 2014 – Alec Yoder of Indianapolis, Ind./InterActive Academy, finished fourth in the parallel bars final at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. Laura Zeng of Libertyville, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, will represent the USA in rhythmic gymnastics beginning Aug. 26. NBC, NBCSN and Universal Sports combined will air 54.5 hours of coverage of the Youth Olympic Games. In addition, fans can watch the action live at Olympic.org, Olympic.tv, YouTube.com/Olympics and the Olympic TV App.

In the parallel bars final, Yoder posted a 13.633 and finished fourth. Russia’s Nikita Nagornyy won the gold, followed by Botond Kardos of Hungary and Giamni Regini-Moran of Great Britain.

The gymnastics competition schedule is as follows. Nanning is 12 hours ahead of the U.S. Eastern time zone.

Aug. 26 Qualification for rhythmic gymnastics individual and group all-around: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (individual, hoop and ball),12:30-4:30 p.m. (individual, clubs and ribbon), 5-8 p.m. (group, hoop and clubs), China; 11 p.m.-1 a.m., 2:30-4:30 a.m., 7-8 a.m. ET

Aug. 27 Finals for rhythmic gymnastics individual and group all-around: 1:30-3:30 p.m. (individual), 7-7:40 p.m. (group), China; 2:30-3:40 a.m., 7-7:50 a.m. ET

Gymnastics is one of the sports that will be featured on the nightly NBCSN coverage. The nightly programming will be similar to NBC’s traditional primetime presentation for the Olympics. Other sports expected to be among those featured include swimming, track and field, beach volleyball and diving. The complete television schedule is listed below.

Alicia Quinn (nee Sacramone) is the analyst for gymnastics. Other commentators and analysts include: commentators Jason Knapp, Jim Watson and Mike Corey; onsite reporters Lewis Johnson and 2006 Olympic ice dancing silver-medalist Tanith Belbin; and analysts two-time Olympic 800m runner Nick Symmonds, four-time swimming medalist Kaitlin Sandeno, 2000 diving gold-medalist Laura Wilkinson and 2000 Olympic beach volleyball player Kevin Wong.

NBC Sports Live Extra — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets — will provide streaming coverage all 2014 Youth Olympic Games coverage appearing on NBC and NBCSN. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at nbcsports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app is available for Apple, Android and Microsoft mobile devices and tablets.

In addition to live online coverage of Nanjing 2014, 480 hours of video-on-demand is available at Olympic.org, Olympic.tv, YouTube.com/Olympics and the Olympic TV App, as well as in China with CNTV and CCTV apps.

The official Youth Olympic Games website is Nanjing2014.org. Coverage of the 2014 U.S. Youth Olympic Team can be found at TeamUSA.org and Twitter.com/USOlympic utilizing the #2014YOG hashtag.

The United States is competing in 22 disciplines across 20 sports, with a 92-member U.S. Youth Olympic Team. China is hosting 3,800 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees at the second summer edition of the Youth Olympic Games. During 13 days of competition in 28 sports, 222 medal events will be spread over 27 competition venues.

The Youth Olympic Games are an international multi-sport event held in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee that take place every four years consistent with the current format of the Olympic Games. The Youth Olympic Games are designed to integrate sport with education and culture, inspiring participants to live by the Olympic values and become ambassadors of Olympism. For more information on the Games, visit Nanjing2014.com.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics, and group gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usagym.org.

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NBC, NBCSN and Universal Sports Network’s coverage of the 2014 Youth Olympic Games from Nanjing, China

Date Time (ET) Network

Mon., August 25 5-7 p.m. Universal Sports Network

7-9 p.m. NBCSN

Tues., August 26 5-7 p.m. Universal Sports Network

7-9 p.m. NBCSN

Wed., August 27 5-7 p.m. Universal Sports Network

7-8 p.m. NBCSN

Thurs., August 28 5-7:30 p.m. Universal Sports Network

6:30-8 p.m.** NBCSN

Sun., August 31 12:30-1:30 p.m. NBC

** Closing ceremony

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Bach and Lapasset Delighted With Rugby Sevens’ Olympic Debut

22/08/2014, Nanjing, Multi Sports, Youth Olympic Games, Article # 3620081

IRB MEDIA RELEASE

Twitter alerts @IRBMedia

Bach and Lapasset Delighted With Rugby Sevens’ Olympic Debut

IOC President Thomas Bach, IRB President Bernard Lapasset and Heather Moyse at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing. Photo: IOC

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has joined International Rugby Board President Bernard Lapasset and the global Rugby family in hailing the inaugural Youth Olympic Games Rugby Sevens event.

Bach was joined by a host of IOC and NOC members at a packed venue in Nanjing to see the newest Olympic sport and witness a compelling, exciting tournament with boys and girls teams from around the globe competing for the first Olympic Rugby gold medals to be awarded in 90 years.

With the festival atmosphere making the Rugby Sevens one of the must-see events in Nanjing, Australia’s girls and France’s boys made history by claiming the inaugural gold medals. China’s girls delighted the home crowd to take bronze and Fiji claimed a first-ever Olympic medal with bronze in the boys’ competition.

Bach said: “It's a great competition, you can see how dynamic and fascinating Rugby Sevens can be and is, and we are looking forward to a great tournament in Rio. It is always critical to get it right at a big event like the Youth Olympics Games or Olympic Games.”

It was an historic and emotional occasion for Lapasset, who is now looking forward to ensuring a successful and spectacular Rugby Sevens debut at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“It was a very special, emotional and historic occasion for the global Rugby family and the players and the competition was exciting and played in the shared values of the Youth Olympics and Rugby,” said Lapasset.

“The future is certainly bright for global Rugby and we can now look forward to delivering a Rugby Sevens event at the Rio Games that is great for the Olympics, great for Rugby and great for Brazil.”

Embraced by the host nation, the IRB has worked in partnership with the IOC and the local organising committee to deliver its Get Into Rugby participation programme. Centred on participation and enjoyment, the Get Into Rugby activity in Nanjing featured team visits and coaching clinics to local schools during the Games, capping a programme that has introduced more than 3,000 local boys and girls to Rugby in the last three years.

Double Winter Olympic Games gold medallist and Rugby Canada player Heather Moyse was on hand to assist in her capacity as an IOC Athlete Role Model.

“There is no doubt that Rugby Sevens will be a hit at Rio. We have witnessed a great competition that has captivated the locals, provided our young players with an incredible experience on and off the field and showcased Rugby and its character-building values to the world.”

“Rio is going to be a great event. It will be massive for Rugby’s growth and there is no doubt that our top players are looking forward to it.”

VIEW THE NANJING 2014 RUGBY SEVENS RESULTS HERE>>

Every try, tackle and pass from the men’s and women’s Rugby Sevens events at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games are available on demand at Olympic.tv.

VIEW THE IRB'S NEW SEVENS VIDEO HERE>>

Fans can follow all the action and join the conversation @IRBSevens.

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Ahsinger finishes fifth in trampoline at 2014 Youth Olympic Games

22/08/2014, Nanjing, Multi Sports, Youth Olympic Games, Article # 3620012

Ahsinger finishes fifth in trampoline at 2014 Youth Olympic Games

NANJING, China, Aug. 21, 2014 – Nicole Ahsinger of San Diego, Calif./So Cal TTC, finished fifth in women’s trampoline at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. Competition continues tomorrow with men’s trampoline, which features the USA’s Colin Duda of Atlantic Highlands, N.J./Elite Trampoline Academy. NBC, NBCSN and Universal Sports will combine for 54.5 hours of coverage of the Youth Olympic Games. In addition, fans can watch the action live at Olympic.org, Olympic.tv, YouTube.com/Olympics and the Olympic TV App.

In the finals, Ahsinger was fifth with a score of 49.950. Ahsinger moved to the finals by finishing qualification round in seventh place with a two-routine total of 89.005. China’s Zhu Xueying won the title at 55.425. Japan’s Rana Nakano took second at 52.370, followed by Russia’s Maria Zakharchuk at 52.360.

The gymnastics competition schedule is as follows. The USA is also competing in individual rhythmic gymnastics and men’s and women’s trampoline. Nanning is 12 hours ahead of the U.S. Eastern time zone.

Aug. 22 Trampoline qualification and final: men: 1:30-3:10 p.m., China; 1:30-3:10 a.m. ET

Aug. 23 Men’s and women’s gymnastics individual event finals (men – floor exercise, pommel horse and still rings; women – vault and uneven bars): 7-10 p.m., China; 7-10 a.m. ET

Aug. 24 Men’s and women’s gymnastics individual event finals (men – vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar; women – balance beam and floor exercise): 7-10:05 p.m., China; 7-10:05 a.m. ET