Exclusive: Youth Olympic Games Gives Medellin Chance to Move on from Violent Past
June 24, 2013
Hosting the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2018 will give Medellin the chance to show the world the city has moved on from the drugs and violence that used to plague the Colombian city.
Throughout the 1970s and 80s Medellin was controlled by Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel, medic ranking the city as the most violent city in the world.
However, since the clear-up of the Cartel in the early 90s, Medellin has been transformed and is now bidding to host the 2018 YOG, a move that Medellin 2018 CEO said highlights the great change the city has gone through.
Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect, Juan Camilo Quintero said: “Let me tell you that violence is a subject of the past. Medellin has gone through an incredible metamorphosis in recent years thanks to investments in education, culture and sports.
“We have brought the best to the poorest, and we have implemented innovative security strategies, that altogether, have greatly contributed to improving safety.
“The Youth Olympic Games in 2018 comes as a great opportunity for us to show the world the new Medellin, to confirm the metamorphosis of the city and above all to show the youth the meaning of sport in their lives.”
History of hosting events
The bid for the 2018 YOG comes on the back of a successful 2010 South American Games, where Colombia topped the charts with 144 gold medals and 372 in total.
Medellin will also host the 2016 BMX World Championships after being awarded the event by the International Cycling Union (UCI).
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) makes their decision on the 2018 YOG on July 4.
Medellin faces competition from Buenos Aires and Glasgow.
Read the full interview with Juan Camilo Quintero here >>
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