Canada names 71-athlete team for Youth Olympic Games in Argentina

TORONTO – Canada will send 71 athletes and 28 coaches to the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina next month.

The event, for athletes aged 15-18, features 241 medal events across 32 sports. It runs from Oct. 6-18.

Four-time Olympic sprinter Bruny Surin will serve as chef de mission for Canada.

Canada will compete in 20 events. Ontario leads the way with 28 athletes, while Alberta and B.C., each have 14.

More than 200 countries are sending 3,998 athletes, with an equal numbers of males and females competing.

The event started in 2010 and is held every four years.

“It is such an honour to be Team Canada’s chef de mission for the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games,” Surin said in a statement. “The opportunity to compete at the Olympics changed my life, and I have no doubt that the ability to take part at the Youth Olympic Games will do the same for the young athletes taking part. I am so excited to help them reach their potential.”