Summer Youth Olympic Games Nanjing 2014

NANJING, China – The Summer Youth Olympic Games Nanjing 2014 drew to a close Thursday following 13 days of competition between approximately 3,800 athletes representing more than 200 nations. The Games, which featured 30 disciplines across all 28 sports on the Rio 2016 Olympic program, saw Team USA collect 22 medals, including 10 golds, five silvers and seven bronzes.

The 92-member 2014 U.S. Youth Olympic Team came away with invaluable international experience, both on and off the field of play. While U.S. athletes enjoyed athletic success, they also participated in the third installment of the International Olympic Committee’s Culture and Education Program, which encouraged interaction between different countries and fostered personal growth. The CEP was launched for the inaugural 2010 Youth Games in Singapore and has evolved positively ever since.

"The Youth Olympic Games are a unique opportunity for athletes to compete, explore other cultures and celebrate the Olympic spirit," said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. "Our athletes had an incredible experience in Nanjing and on behalf of Team USA I want to thank our hosts for their hospitality. I’d also like to commend our athletes, who represented our country well on and off the field of play. Their dedication proves they are on the path to becoming champions – both in sport and life – and we wish them continued success."

Team USA competed in 22 disciplines across 20 sports, earning 66 top-10 finishes, including 10 fourth-place finishes. Overall, U.S. athletes won medals in 11 sports – including basketball, boxing, fencing, gymnastics, judo, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, track and field, triathlon and wrestling – and also participated in more than 2,500 CEP events.

"We could not be more proud of our athletes," said Charlie Paddock, Team USA chef de mission. "The significance of competing at the Youth Olympic Games goes beyond medals and notoriety, and our athletes really embraced the cultural experience while competing to the best of their ability. The camaraderie between athletes exceeded our expectations and brought the Youth Olympic spirit to the forefront of what has been a spectacular event."

Added Paddock of the Nanjing Organizing Committee’s efforts: "The Games were truly a positive experience for us, helping prepare our athletes for the next level. The venues are obviously stunning and we were honored to be guests in Nanjing. On behalf of our entire delegation, I’d like to extend a huge thanks to the volunteers, who were amazingly helpful and friendly, and critical to Team USA’s success."

Swimmer Hannah Moore (Cary, N.C.) was the most decorated U.S. athlete of the Games, earning gold in both the 200-meter backstroke and 400 freestyle events. Fellow Youth Olympic champion Katie Lou Samuelson joined Moore as the only other American multi-medalist, garnering bronze in the basketball shoot-out contest and helping the women’s 3-on-3 basketball team to gold.

"In the beginning, it was really intimidating walking in here at my first international event," said Moore. "But it’s been an amazing experience. Everything from the village to the volunteers has been incredible. They worked so hard to put all of this together for us and it really makes you appreciate the opportunity to learn about the rest of the world. The level of competition will definitely help me in the future as I prepare to swim my best races moving forward."

Additionally, three U.S. athletes took home medals in mixed international team competition, including Adonis Diaz (judo), Gracia Leydon Mahoney (diving) and Chinne Okoronkwo (mixed 8x100-meter).

For the first time, NBC, NBCSN and Universal Sports combined to offer 54.5 hours of coverage of the Youth Olympic Games from Nanjing, China, including broadcasts of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Additionally, NBC Sports Live Extra streamed all Youth Olympics coverage on NBC and NBCSN. As part of its TV rights agreement with the IOC, NBCUniversal will broadcast every Youth Olympic Games through 2032.