The launch of the Targeted Dialogue marks a new stage in the process led by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee -IOC- to select the host city of the Youth Olympic Games 2030. Following the invitation to Asunción, Bangkok and Santiago as Preferred Hosts, the focus now shifts to a more in-depth analysis of the technical, operational and organisational viability of each project.

This phase is based on the IOC Feasibility Assessments and aims to identify the strengths of each candidature, as well as the aspects that will need to be refined during the dialogue with the IOC. The process places emphasis on the projects’ capacity for adjustment, the robustness of their governance models and the management of risks associated with staging the event.

Asunción (Paraguay): consolidation requirements

One of the main strengths of the candidature of Asunción is its compact model, based on a single cluster of venues and one Youth Olympic Village. This approach simplifies logistics, enhances the athlete experience and contributes to cost control. It is further supported by the predominant use of existing or temporary facilities and by Paraguay’s recent experience in hosting multi-sport events, which strengthens the project’s operational credibility.

At this stage of the process, the analysis focuses on the project’s ability to sustain its operational model throughout the entire Games cycle, from initial planning through to the legacy phase. The IOC is paying particular attention to institutional continuity following the experience of the South American Games and the Junior Pan American Games, as well as to the consolidation of stable technical teams and the definition of financial guarantees to support a model based on temporary infrastructure and the post-Games integration of the Youth Olympic Village into long-term urban and social plans.

Bangkok (Thailand): operational complexity

The proposal from Bangkok is underpinned by the experience accumulated by Thailand in organising multi-sport events and major international competitions, including the Asian Games and multiple editions of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), whose most recent edition is currently being staged in the country. This is complemented by the regular hosting of World Championships and continental events in Olympic sports such as boxing, weightlifting and badminton, which has helped to develop well-established capacities in logistics, transport, accommodation and the operation of large-scale events.

At the same time, the proposed multi-hub model introduces a higher level of operational complexity that will need to be addressed during the Targeted Dialogue. Coordination between venues, authorities and logistics operators, as well as the management of climatic and environmental factors, are among the elements requiring detailed analysis. The political context and institutional stability of Thailand are also aspects that the IOC will monitor closely during this phase.

Santiago (Chile): optimisation of the model

The main strength of the candidature of Santiago lies in the direct use of the legacy of the Pan American Games, with a high concentration of venues already in operation and governance frameworks that have been recently tested. This foundation reduces the need for new infrastructure investment and provides a clear advantage in terms of planning, inter-institutional coordination and delivery timelines.

The technical analysis now focuses on adapting this Pan American model to the specific scale of the Youth Olympic Games. The optimisation of operational costs, the financial sustainability of the legacy and the integration of the event into long-term youth policies are among the aspects that will need to be further detailed during the dialogue with the IOC, particularly with regard to the post-Games use of venues and associated programmes.

Beyond the specific features of each project, the IOC reports highlight common patterns at this stage of the process, including attention to governance, economic viability and the capacity to mitigate risks. These elements will be decisive in the development of the Targeted Dialogue and in the comparative evaluation of the candidatures.

With the opening of this phase, the IOC will work more closely with the National Olympic Committees of Paraguay, Thailand and Chile to further refine the necessary technical and operational adjustments. The Targeted Dialogue thus serves as a key tool to fine-tune the projects ahead of the final selection of the host city of the Youth Olympic Games 2030, scheduled for 2026.