Nanjing front runner for 2014 Youth Olympics after IOC report

NANJING, the former capital of China, has emerged from the International Olympic Committee's Evaluation Commission report as the front runner to host the second Youth Olympic Games in 2014.

LEADING THE WAY: A picture of the world famous Nanjing canals - a city which is the front runner to stage the second Youth Olympic Games

The Mexican city of Guadalajara, Polish city of Poznan and Nanjing are all bidding to follow in the footsteps of Singapore, which will stage the inaugural event in 2010.

While the Evaluation Commission's report is by no means a definitive guide to the race to stage the Games and contains no scoring system, it can often give a good indication as to who is in the box seat.

And it was Nanjing who came closest to receiving a glowing reference from the commission, chaired by IOC member Frankie Fredericks.

Each city was given a risk analysis, with the Guadalajara report and the Poznan report said to present a number of risks whereas the Nanjing bid was adjudged to present minimal risk.

Nanjing, China's capital until 1949, has a population of 7.5 million and a proposed budget of approximately £73 million - the largest of each of the candidate cities.

It was also praised by the IOC for making good use of existing venues, with 21 of the required 25 already in existence and in close proximity to the proposed site of the Olympic Village.

"Nanjing makes good use of existing venues and has some experience in hosting international and multi-sport events," read the report.

"Nanjing's budget appears to be consistent with the levels of service described in the candidature file and most key costs have been taken into consideration. Any shortfall in the YOGOC budget would be covered by the Nanjing Municipal Government."

Poznan meanwhile, has good experience in hosting major events having staged the World Track Cycling Championships and the World Rowing Championships last year.

But the IOC's main concerns revolve around the size of Poznan's budget - just over £39 million - with the report also suggesting problems with the Olympic Village.

"Should the Games be awarded to Poznan, it would be essential to closely monitor the progress of construction of the Youth Olympic Village project in order to minimise risks," continued the report.

"Poznan's budget appears low in a number of key areas and may not be sufficient to cover the proposed levels of service described in the candidature file. Any shortfall in the budget would however be covered by the City of Poznan."

Guadalajara's bid could benefit from the fact the city will stage the Pan-American Games in 2011 but this could also be a hindrance with a number of reported delays and financial problems for the event.

The IOC also expressed concern regarding the financial guarantees of the bid.

"Should the Games be awarded to Guadalajara, it would be essential to closely monitor the construction of the two hotels that would be part of the Youth Olympic Village project in order to minimise risks," added the report.

"Guadalajara's YOGOC budget appears to be consistent with the levels of service described in the candidature file and most key costs have been taken into consideration. However, no full YOGOC budget shortfall guarantee has been provided, which represents an important financial risk.

"Finally, in light of the latest information available regarding the status of progress of preparations for the Pan American Games, the Commission reserves judgement on the benefit of the experience gained from the organisation of these Games."

While it is remains a matter of opinion as to how relevant the report is as to who wins the race to host the Games, it is worth noting that Rio de Janeiro came out of the IOC's Evaluation Commission report for the 2016 Olympics with the least criticism.