AYOT: The Australian Youth Olympic Team has completed their final preparations ahead of their departure for the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China beginning Saturday.

Approximately 3,800 competitors aged 16-18 from over 200 countries will take part including 89 young Australians.

NSW alone is sending 33 athletes, who make up over a third of the total number in the team.

All 28 official Summer Olympic sports will be contested including Golf and Rugby Sevens which will be new to the Rio 2016 Olympic program.

Triple Olympian and multiple Olympic medallist, Susie O'Neill OAM leads the team as Chef de Mission, while Olympic silver medallist and Youth Olympic gold medallist, Jessica Fox is Australia’s Young Ambassador.

Not only will Australia be sporting one of the largest athlete groups at the Games, but also one of the largest support groups with 52 officials and 71 family and friends taking the trip to China.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Stuart Ayres met with the team before their departure and said the enthusiasm among the athletes was palpable.

“The Youth Olympic Games provides an opportunity for aspiring young athletes to have an ‘Olympic Games’ experience,” Mr Ayres said.

“From living in a village, experiencing media coverage and taking part in an event against athletes from all over the world, these young Australians will be embracing every aspect of the Olympic spirit.

“To see these young men and women receiving their Olympic kit for the first time was an incredibly special moment to be a part of.

“I congratulate the Australian Olympic Committee for instilling the Olympic spirit into our future sporting superstars,” Mr Ayres concluded.

NSW Government