In the year 2000 the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) took on the added responsibility of the Commonwealth Youth Games, open to athletes 18 years of age and under, the Youth Games provide an excellent opportunity for aspiring young athletes from the Commonwealth with a taste of what the Commonwealth Games has in store for them in the future.
The inaugural Commonwealth Youth Games was held in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2000, these were followed by the second set of games in Victoria, Australia in 2004 and the third in Pune, India in 2008.
In such a short space of time the Youth Games has grown in stature and this is evidenced by award of the 2011, fourth edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games to the Isle of Man.
These Youth Games are set to take place in the city of Douglas and Castleton in Isle of Man. At the end of the 2011 edition onwards, the Games will revert to a quadrennial cycle.
We can also look forward to the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games which has been awarded to Apia, Samoa.
The IV Commonwealth Youth Games is scheduled to take place from the 7th - 13th September 2011 in Isle of Man, with most of the sporting action expected to take place in the capital of Douglas. The Organising Committee has now finalised the sports programme of events to be held over the 3 day period of 9th, 10th and 11th September 2011 where over 1,300 athletes and 350 officials from 71 countries are expected to attend and participate in three days of non-stop competition.
Isle of Man, otherwise known simply as Mann, is a self-governing British Crown Dependency located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. It is home to a population of over 80,000 people, with more than 26,000 of the overall population residing in the island’s capital of Douglas.
The Isle of Man has a temperate climate with cool summers and mild winters, and a rich cultural influence that goes as far back as the Iron Age. The official language of the Isle of Man is English. Manx Gaelic has traditionally been spoken but is now considered "critically endangered".
Although the Isle of Man is not a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, by virtue of its relationship with the United Kingdom, it is entitled to participate in several Commonwealth institutions, including the Commonwealth Games and thus was awarded the opportunity to host the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games.
Mr. Geoff Karran, Chairman of the CYG Organising Committee, said, “With less than 300 days until the opening ceremony, plans are now in full swing to deliver a Games that the Island can be proud of. This is the most important multi sporting event that the Island has ever hosted and it is essential that it begins in spectacular fashion. With that in mind, I am delighted to officially launch plans for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games.”
The Opening Ceremony of the Games will be held on Thursday 8th September 2011 at the newly refurbished Douglas Bowl and the Closing Ceremony will take place at the Villa Marina on Monday 12th September 2011.
All 71 nations of the Commonwealth will be represented at the most prestigious sporting event the Isle of Man has ever hosted. Athletes will compete in seven sports on the programme for the 2011 CYG. The featured sports are: Athletics, Rugby, Swimming, Badminton, Gymnastics, Cycling and Boxing.
The signature mark of the CYG is its mascot. The mascot is a Manx cat called "Tosha" which was designed by Douglas man Andrew Martin and named by competition winner Vicki Skellorn of Ramsey, Isle of Man. The name "Tosha" is Manx Gaelic and means "to be first" or "the winner".