No big stars at the Youth Olympic Games? Don't worry. These youngsters may draw the world's attention in a few years' time.
The first ever Youth Olympic Games, ready to open on Saturday, attracts over 3,000 young athletes who mostly are unknown to the world right now.
But who knows what they can turn into in a few years' time?
"My goal, of course, is to win at the Youth Games," Asian shot put junior champion Gu Siyu told Xinhua.
"I hope that next time I will talk to you after I win an Olympic gold," said the 17-year-old, who is currently placed number one in IAAF junior rankings.
The athletes, aged between 14 and 18, are dreaming to become world champions and Olympic medalists, and some of them are not just the dreamers.
Guo's teammate Tang Yi narrowly missed the Beijing Olympics podium two years ago when she came fourth in the 100m freestyle relay.
"She is the true leader in this YOG team," said her coach Chen Jing.
Diving wunderkind Tom Daley, spearheading the British team, is one of the most shining stars here. After the then-14-year-old European champion finished seventh in the men's platform in Beijing Olympics, his Chinese coach Chen Wen predicted a promising future for Daley.
"He could be the biggest threat to the Chinese diving team in 2012," he said.
Mexican archer Mariana Avitia also came here with valuable Olympic Games experience. Aged 14, she was one of the youngest athletes in Beijing, and exceeded all expectations by reaching the quarterfinals before being defeated by Kwon Un-Sil from archery powerhouse South Korea.
Newly-crowned European junior champion Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia will be among the title favorites when the 13-day Games kicks off.
The European junior title was not the first title of 2010 for the 18-year-old. Dzumhur did not drop a set at the 35th City of Florence International Tournament in Italy, and also won the 18th International Junior Tournament of Offenbach/Main in Germany.
Even if some of the athletes have yet to make a splash on international stage, they may have the potential in their genes.
"We came here with one goal. To get the gold." claimed Sterling Gibbs. The American boy, 17, has big ambitions for his 3-on-3 basketball team, standing between 1.88m to 2.05m to tower over the others.
For Sterling, playing basketball runs in his blood. His elder brother, Ashton Gibbs is one of the best shooters with Pittsburghpanthers in college basketball league, and under his influence Sterling started catching on the game at a young age.
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2020-09-15
2020-09-15
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2020-09-15