Chile has officially announced its candidacy to host one of the most prestigious international sporting events: the 2030 Summer Youth Olympic Games. Held every four years, this multi-sport event brings together thousands of young athletes from all over the world. Since its inception in 2010, the Youth Olympic Games have been hosted in Singapore (2010), Nanjing, China (2014), and Buenos Aires, Argentina (2018). Now, Chile is seeking to bring this major event to South America once again.
The bid was made official through a letter from Jaime Pizarro, Chile’s Minister of Sports, addressed to Miguel Ángel Mujica, President of the Chilean Olympic Committee (COCH). Mujica then forwarded the formal letter of intent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), marking the start of Chile’s official campaign to host the games.
President Gabriel Boric expressed strong support for the bid, highlighting that it complements the nation’s growing calendar of international sporting events. “This candidacy is part of the ongoing agenda of major events we are hosting, which includes the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the Track Cycling World Championships, the Women’s Basketball AmeriCup, and the Youth Parapan American Games,” Boric stated. He also emphasized that Chile is set to host the Special Olympics World Games in 2027, further showcasing the country’s increasing role on the global sports stage.
Minister Pizarro reinforced the country’s readiness and expertise in managing such large-scale events. He pointed to Chile’s successful organization of the Santiago 2023 Pan American and Parapan American Games, which left behind a legacy of high-quality sports infrastructure. “Chile has proven its strong capabilities in organizing international sporting events. Our world-class facilities, combined with our commitment to promoting physical activity, are key components in building a more cohesive and healthier society,” Pizarro noted.
The host city for the 2030 Youth Olympic Games is expected to be announced by the IOC in early 2026, during the Winter Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina. At this stage, Paraguay is the only other nation that has officially submitted a bid. Although countries like Mongolia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Mexico have shown interest, they have not yet formalized their applications.
The Youth Olympic Games are a massive undertaking. The event is projected to involve an investment of around $150 million USD, combining public and private funding. It will attract more than 4,000 young athletes from over 200 countries, competing in 30 to 35 disciplines—the final sports lineup is yet to be determined.
Chile’s bid also builds on its history of nurturing young athletes through these games. The Team Chile delegation has participated in all three previous editions of the Summer Youth Olympic Games. Several athletes who competed in past Youth Olympics have gone on to represent Chile in the regular Olympic Games, such as:
- María José Poncell (Sailing – 2010)
- Melita Abraham, Antonia Abraham, and César Abaroa (Rowing – 2014)
- Clemente Seguel (Sailing – 2014)
- Martín Sáenz (Athletics – 2018)
- Mauricio Molina and Martín Vidaurre (Cycling – 2018)
- Nicolás Burgos (Table Tennis – 2018)
The 2030 Youth Olympic Games would be a milestone not only for Chile but also for the development of youth sports in the region. With a proven track record in sports management, modern infrastructure, and governmental support, Chile is positioning itself as a strong contender to host this prestigious event. As the world waits for the IOC’s decision in 2026, Chile is ready to welcome the world’s best young athletes with open arms.
