The 2010 Youth Olympic Games were very-much an experimental event, across all sports. For example, the basketball tournament was not a traditional 5-on-5, instead it was a 3-on-3 game, and the IOC pushed the envelope on the front-edge of co-ed relays.
With the focus on experimentation and innovation, as well as holding focus on the Olympic idea of the journey as much as the competition, the swimming schedule was a unique one. Besides co-ed relays, the IOC cut out certain events that, frankly, it doesn’t see as big attendance-drivers.
That meant that while there were 50’s of every stroke (unlike the Olympics), there was no 800m free, no 1500m free, and no 400 IM.
The IOC has made at least some concession to the distance swimmers for the 2014 event with the publishing of the swimming explanatory brochure. They’ve added an 800 free for both boys and girls at the meet, which means distance swimmers will have some footing. For those unfamiliar, the World Championship schedule has an 800 free for men and women, while the Olympic schedule has an 800 for women and a 1500 free for men.
This brings the total medals available up to 108. That’s up from the 102 (103 with ties) that were available in 2010.
That news will benefit swimmers like PJ Ransford, who was announced today as part of the American roster. Ransford’s best Olympic event is the 1500, but is also very good in the 800 free.