2023 Commonwealth Youth Games
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Host city | Trinidad and Tobago |
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Motto | One Heart, One Nation, One Spirit |
Nations | 68 |
Athletes | 1000 |
Events | 93 in 7 sports |
Opening | 4 August 2023 |
Closing | 11 August 2023 |
Opened by | President Christine Kangaloo |
Main venue | Hasely Crawford Stadium, Trinidad (athletics, opening ceremony) Pigeon Point, Tobago (closing ceremony) |
Website | Trinbago 2023 |
The 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games, officially known as the VII Commonwealth Youth Games and informally as Trinbago 2023, was a youth sporting event for members of the Commonwealth that was held in Trinidad and Tobago.[1] They were the seventh edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games. The games were initially scheduled between 1 and 7 August 2021[2] but were postponed and held from 4 to 11 August 2023 as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic and scheduling issues with the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.[3]
The 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games were the first to be held since the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III as Head of the Commonwealth and the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth Realms on 8 September 2022. They were also the first to be held in the Caribbean, and the first to include para-sports.
Host selection
[edit]The 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games went through three extensive host selections.
First selection
[edit]Accepted bid
[edit]With the backing of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Commonwealth Games Council for Northern Ireland,[4] Belfast submitted an official bid for the games. On 29 November 2015, it was confirmed that Northern Ireland was the only official, and thus the preferred, bid.[5] They were named the official hosts in January 2016, with the Games originally scheduled for 27 July to 1 August 2021.[6][2] Robert McVeigh, the Chair of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council, said he was "delighted" that the bid was successful.[7]
In June 2018, Belfast was stripped of the Games due to uncertainty surrounding funding for the event during the absence of a functioning Northern Ireland Executive.[8][9][10] This was as £3 million of grants had not been signed off by the Executive before it collapsed in January 2017, meaning the Games had a significant funding gap.[11]
Withdrawn bids
[edit]The Botswana National Olympic Committee stated it was preparing a bid for the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games,[12] but later withdrew from consideration.[13]
Jersey was considering a bid in early 2015 but pulled out of the bidding process in June 2015.[14][15] The withdrawal came as Botswana and Northern Ireland placed bids - Paul du Feu, Jersey's Commonwealth Games Association leader commented that "when you're up against opposition with a bigger population and totally different infrastructure you have to be realistic".[12]
Second selection
[edit]Following the stripping of the games from Belfast, a new selection process has been initiated, which lasted for six months.[8] Trinidad and Tobago was announced as new host on 21 June 2019.[16]
Accepted second bid
[edit]Other bids
[edit]Third selection
[edit]Following the postponement, Trinidad and Tobago were elected host of the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Birmingham, England at the Commonwealth Games Federation general assembly.
Accepted third bid
[edit]Postponement
[edit]Since the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games were moved to 2021 during the original dates of the Commonwealth Youth Games, the CGF considered the best alternative options and time frames for holding the event in the future, potentially in 2023, to avoid clashing with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, with Trinidad and Tobago having the first option to hold the event.[3][22][23] On 26 July 2022, it was announced that the 7th Commonwealth Youth Games will be held in 2023 in Trinidad and Tobago.[1][24]
Marketing
[edit]Mascot
[edit]On 16 March 2023, the Minister of Sport and Community Development, Shamfa Cudjoe, revealed the games' mascot, Cocoyea, a Leatherback sea turtle. The mascot was designed by Djibril Annisette, who won a design competition that was run for children.[25][26]
Participation
[edit]![]() |
68 of the 72 Commonwealth Games Associations participated in the games.[27] Maldives, Norfolk Island, Sierra Leone did not compete, along with Gabon and Togo, new members of the Commonwealth which had not yet joined the Commonwealth Games Federation. Gambia was scheduled to compete but withdrew due to not getting visas in time.
*As confirmed by 1 August 2023.
Ceremonies
[edit]Opening ceremony
[edit]The opening ceremony took place on 4 August 2023 in Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad. It was themed as a Trinidad and Tobago carnival.
The traditional parade of nations was led by the Bahamas (as the host of the previous games), followed by the rest of the nations from the Americas. Following this, nations entered by region in order from Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and lastly the Caribbean. The host nation, Trinidad and Tobago, entered last. Each nation was preceded by a placard bearer carrying a circular board containing the respective nation's flag.
The games were opened by President Christine Kangaloo and were attended by Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin, Prime Minister Keith Rowley, and his wife. A smaller ceremony was held in Tobago the same day.[45][46]
Closing ceremony
[edit]The closing ceremony took place on 11 August 2023 in Pigeon Point, Tobago. In addition to the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony was also carnival themed.[47]
The Games
[edit]A total of 93 events over seven sports was contested.[48][49]
2023 Commonwealth Youth Games |
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|
Calendar
[edit]OC | Opening ceremony | ● | Event competitions | 1 | Event finals | CC | Closing ceremony |
August | 4 Fri |
5 Sat |
6 Sun |
7 Mon |
8 Tue |
9 Wed |
10 Thu |
11 Fri |
Medal events | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ceremonies (opening / closing) | OC | CC | — | |||||||
![]() |
8 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 34 | |||||
![]() |
● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 2 | 2 | |||
Cycling | ||||||||||
![]() |
2 | 2 | 4 | |||||||
![]() |
1 | 4 | 7 | 12 | ||||||
![]() |
● | ● | 1 | 1 | ||||||
![]() |
9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 35 | |||||
![]() |
● | ● | 2 | 2 | ||||||
![]() |
2 | 1 | 3 | |||||||
Total Medal events | 2 | 11 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 93 | |||
Cumulative total | 2 | 13 | 32 | 53 | 72 | 93 | — | |||
4 Fri |
5 Sat |
6 Sun |
7 Mon |
8 Tue |
9 Wed |
10 Thu |
11 Fri |
Medal events |
Medal table
[edit]* Host nation (Trinidad and Tobago)
Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 26 | 17 | 21 | 64 |
2 | ![]() | 16 | 23 | 10 | 49 |
3 | ![]() | 12 | 11 | 5 | 28 |
4 | ![]() | 7 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
5 | ![]() | 6 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
6 | ![]() | 5 | 4 | 0 | 9 |
7 | ![]() | 4 | 5 | 6 | 15 |
8 | ![]() | 4 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
9 | ![]() | 3 | 6 | 6 | 15 |
10 | ![]() | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
11 | ![]() | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
12 | ![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
13 | ![]() | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
14 | ![]() | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
![]() | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
16 | ![]() | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
17 | ![]() | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
18 | ![]() | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
19 | ![]() | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
![]() | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
21 | ![]() | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
22 | ![]() | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
![]() | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
![]() | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
![]() | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
26 | ![]() | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
![]() | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
![]() | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
Totals (28 entries) | 93 | 93 | 94 | 280 |
Source:[50]
Venues
[edit]Event | Venue | No. of events | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Men | Women | Mixed | Total | ||||
Athletics | Trinidad | Hasely Crawford Stadium[51] | 13 | 13 | 2 | 28 | |
Para athletics | 3 | 3 | — | 6 | |||
Cycling | Road | Brian Lara Cricket Academy Cycling Track | 2 | 2 | — | 4 | |
Track | National Cycling Velodrome | 6 | 6 | — | 12 | ||
Swimming | National Aquatics Stadium | 16 | 16 | 3 | 35 | ||
Beach volleyball | Tobago | Courland Beach Sports Arena | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | |
Netball | Shaw Park Cultural Complex | — | 1 | — | 1 | ||
Rugby sevens | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | |||
Triathlon | Tobago Buccoo Beach | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||
43 | 44 | 6 | 93 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Trinidad and Tobago named host of 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games". insidethegames.biz. 26 July 2022.
- ^ a b "SEVENTH COMMONWEALTH YOUTH GAMES - BELFAST 2021 EDM #1263". UK Parliament. Archived from the original on 22 September 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ a b "Commonwealth Youth Games To Be Rescheduled". The Commonwealth Games Federation. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ^ "Commonwealth Youth Games 2021". TheyWorkForYou. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ Beacom, Steven (29 January 2016). "Belfast set to host Commonwealth Youth Games extravaganza in 2021". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ "Northern Ireland to Host 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games". iSport Connect. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ "Belfast to host the 7th Commonwealth Youth Games in 2021". Visit Belfast. 10 April 2017. Archived from the original on 22 September 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ a b "Media Statement on 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games". Commonwealth Sport. Archived from the original on 10 March 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ Palmer, Dan (22 June 2018). "Belfast stripped of 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games". Inside the Games. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ "NI loses right to host 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games". BBC. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ Fullerton, Gareth (22 June 2018). "Commonwealth Youth Games blow for Northern Ireland as Belfast loses out in bid". Belfast Live. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ a b "Commonwealth Youth Games: Jersey pull out of 2021 bid". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ Sarah Scott (1 February 2016). "Northern Ireland picked to host Commonwealth Youth Games in 2021". Belfast Live. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Jersey to host Commonwealth Youth Games in 2021?". Jersey Evening Post. 4 March 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ "Jersey pulls out of Commonwealth Youth Games bid". itv.com. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ Mackay, Duncan (21 June 2019). "Trinidad and Tobago awarded 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games". Inside the Games. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ Pavitt, Michael (23 June 2018). "Trinidad and Tobago consider bid for 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games". Inside the Games. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ Pouchet, Mark (31 August 2018). "TO BID OR NOT Clock ticks away on C'wealth Youth Games decision". Trinidad Express. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ a b "Trinidad and Tobago contends to host 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games". Panam Sports. 26 October 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
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- ^ Pavitt, Michael (1 May 2020). "Commonwealth Youth Games to be rescheduled with Trinidad and Tobago given "first option" to host". Inside The Games. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
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- ^ "Trinidad and Tobago ready to host 2023 commonwealth Youth Games". www.panamsports.org/. Panam Sports. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ "Beach Volleyball". Commonwealth Games - Trinbago 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Fast5 Netball". Commonwealth Games - Trinbago 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Rugby Sevens". Commonwealth Games - Trinbago 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Fraser, Narissa (27 July 2023). "Caricom teams to arrive for Commonwealth Youth Games from Monday - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday". newsday.co.tt. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Bangladesh set to participate in 7th Commonwealth Youth Games".
- ^ "Cycling Federation of Belize sends Delton Rojas, Jaylen Briceño, Gabrielle Gabourel to Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago".
- ^ "Brunei national swimmers leave for world meet in Japan » Borneo Bulletin Online". 20 July 2023.
- ^ "Team Gibraltar heads to Commonwealth Youth Games".
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- ^ Indranil Das (30 July 2024), "Indian contingent for Commonwealth Youth Games", Indian Express
- ^ "2026 Commonwealth Games decision 'particular blow' to Manx athletes".
- ^ "Commonwealth Youth Games Team Announcement".
- ^ "Namibia: Commonwealth Youth Team Ready". New Era. 28 July 2023.
- ^ "April performances seal Ellie's inclusion for Commonwealth Youth Games". 2 July 2023.
- ^ "PSB approves participation of Pakistan contingent in CW Youth Games". August 2023.
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