Australia’s future stars will get their first taste of international competition in August 2000 with 91 Australian athletes selected to compete in the Millennium Commonwealth Youth Games in Edinburgh.

Over 600 athletes from 14 different nations will compete in the Commonwealth Youth Games, which will take place in Edinburgh from the 10 – 14 August 2000. This inaugural event staged by the Commonwealth Games Council of Scotland will provide a platform for athletes under 18 to compete in a multi sport event at international level.

The 14 nations competing are Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, England, India, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Wales and Zimbabwe.

The eight sports on the programme are Athletics, Gymnastics, Fencing, Hockey, Squash, Swimming, Tennis and Weightlifting. Venues built for the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games in 1986 located in and around Edinburgh will be used.

The Games will take place at the same time as the Edinburgh Festival and will be integrated with the Festival’s activities. Louise Martin, Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Council of Scotland stated in a recent interview that…’There will be many talented athletes at the event, and although all will be doing their best to take home medals, it is not just the medals which count. It is an educational experience, and it is the ethos of these Games that culture is part of the event…we want the spirit of friendship coming through.’

Australia will be sending a full team of 120 athletes and officials to the Games to compete in all 8 sports

A list of the Australian team members can be located on the Australian Commonwealth Games Association home page www.ausport.gov.au/acga/

Source: Melbourne 2006