This study`s purpose was to understand the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) athlete`s experience pertaining to the learning environment in both their sport and the general atmosphere. Grounding the research in social learning theory, we used a mixed methods approach in the context of the 2018 Buenos Aires (BA2018) YOG to help us determine: 1) young athletes` awareness and perceptions of various YOG aspects (sport, competition formats, atmosphere, social media, and Learn & Share activities); 2) aspects they enjoy (a known facilitator to the high-performance pathway); 3) various coping strategies and mechanisms to support their experience; and 4) their learning process and experience. Results indicate the location, athletes` village (number of athletes and activities, living together with the best young athletes from around the world, and the convergence of different countries, cultures and sports in one location), atmosphere and crowds, venues, sport competitions, security, transportation upon arrival, and learning (especially from Athlete Role Models and peers) contributed to athletes` positive experience and enjoyment of the BA2018. Integrating the findings, we find the YOG`s value depends on young athletes` positive Games experience, which in turn, allows them to help fulfil the YOG`s promise by becoming Olympic Movement ambassadors once they return home. Contents: Abstract 4 Executive Summary 5 Research Subject and Objectives 9 Academic Significance of the Project and Impact on the Priority Fields of Research 10 Priority Field of Research 1: Longitudinal Case Studies of YOG Athletes' Pathways to Success and Fulfillment or Challenges 10 Priority 8. Analysis of the Growing Media Influence of Athletes and the Impact it Has on the Relationship between Athletes, Sports Organizations/competitions and the Media - Opportunities and Challenges 11 Literature and Theoretical Foundation 12 The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) 12 The Singapore 2010 and Innsbruck 2012 retrospective study 13 The Lillehammer 2016 Games-time study 14 Athletes 15 Social Media 16 Social Learning Theory 18 Methodology 21 Key Information Sources 21 Documentation 21 On-site observations and field notes 22 Interviews 22 Post-Games survey 23 Data Analysis 24 Qualitative data analysis 24 Quantitative data analysis 24 Results 24 1) Overall Athlete Experience 24 2) Social Media 30 3) Support 32 NOC 33 Coaches 33 Family and friends 33 4) Identity - `Me and My Sport` 34 5) Living the Olympic Values: Friendship, Respect, and Excellence 35 6) The YOG`s Influence on the Young Athletes 36 Learning from Athlete Role Models 37 3 Learning from their peers 38 Outcome: The high performance pathway 38 Outcome: The joy of being at the YOG 39 Links between Athlete Experience and Learning 39 Discussion 42 1) Athletes` Awareness and Perceptions of Various Aspects of the YOG 42 2) Aspects Athletes` Enjoyed to Facilitate the High-Performance Pathway 43 3) Coping Strategies and Mechanisms to Support Athletes` Experience 44 4) Athletes` Learning Process and Experience 45 Conclusions 47 Recommendations 48 Future Steps 50 References 51 Appendix 1 - Athlete Interview Guide 55 Appendix 2 - Post-Games Survey Respondents` NOC Breakdown 58
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