Beach handball’s Olympic journey has begun

In a little more than two months, the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) will start in Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires (6 to 18 October).

32 different sports are part of the programme: sport climbing, dance sport, karate and roller sports make their debut, and while handball was a part of the 2010 and 2014 YOG, this time beach handball takes the spot and is played for the first time on the wider Olympic level.

Beach handball will be played from 8 to 13 October. From Europe, the women’s teams of Spain, Netherlands, Hungary and Portugal and the men’s teams of Spain, Portugal, Italy and Russia will participate.

Last week, the handover ceremony for the Youth Olympic Games 2018 took place at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. The Flame was handed over to Gerardo Werthein, President of the Organizing Committee of Buenos Aires 2018.

“May the Flame carry the passion and the dreams of the young people, before lighting the cauldron in the Olympic Stadium in Buenos Aires. Let the Games become a healthy pattern for young people all around the world and the hope for a better future,” Spyros Capralos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee said.  

“Buenos Aires 2018 has started today with the flame lighting. With pride, we will bring it to the south of the globe and, from there, we will enlighten the world with the inspiring message of Olympism and its values,” Gerardo Werthein said.

The ceremony was held in the midst of the mourning due to the devastating forest fires that had hit Greece. A minute of silence was held in memory of the victims.  The Hellenic Olympic Committee had also modified the ritual, cancelled the dance of the Priestesses and did only what was strictly necessary in order to conclude the ceremony.

Photo: Hellenic Olympic Committee