Without exception, these volunteers are thorough, meticulously trained and with an exacting, almost ruthless, attention to the rules.

Sometimes this can be frustrating. The new rule seemingly introduced this evening that pens cannot be taken through security was one such example, and they are certainly less comfortable than their Scottish counterparts at going off-piste and dealing with issues that are not under their specific auspice.

But these frustrations are more than counter-balanced by an abundance of positive aspects. They are so keen to help, and so visibly pleased when their attempts are successful, that exasperation is never a feeling that lasts long. There is a refreshing sense of pride in their work and it is obvious that they are genuinely pleased to contribute to the Games and their country.

There is also something incredibly efficient about them, that you would not see in much of the rest of the world. Our taxis for example, that we have been forced to get the last few nights due to the early time at which the buses stop, have always ended up at precisely ¥28 (£2.70/$4.50/€3.40) on the meter. So, taking a different route or alternating the fare in some other way are not issues at all in China in the way they could be elsewhere.

Qualities such as laziness or apathy also seem to simply not exist on these shores and the volunteers and workforce give the Games their unique quality.

And when we got stuck at Beijing Airport after missing our connection on our way here, they were quite superb at getting us on the quickest alternative flight here. 

Soldiers on mopping-up duty before the Opening Ceremony also epitomised this hard work and efficiency ©AFP/Getty Images



The Opening Ceremony was another good example of this efficiency. While it did not perhaps have the warmth that the Rod Stewart and Kylie Minogue-packed spectacles at Glasgow 2014 did, it was spectacular, meaningful and performed with a scrupulous attention to detail - despite the relentless rain that fell for virtually the whole evening.

Turning to the sport, and unfortunately I have not managed to see too much so far, it certainly has the exact same vibe as at a senior Olympics. The quality is also high, with home star Fang Zhendong, ranked third in the world in the men's singles table tennis, and Lithuania's Plymouth-based London 2012 100m breaststroke swimming champion, Rūta Meilutytė, two of the star names present.

There is a lot of talk that the Youth Olympics may not survive the long-term repercussions of Agenda 2020, but it is easy to see why former IOC chief Jacques Rogge sees them as one of his main legacies to the Movement. It is a wonderful opportunity to provide not only sporting experience, but chances to gain life experience and meet with people from different cultures and countries.

Whether they are worth the large chunk of the IOC budget they currently consume is another question, but it is certainly a valuable way of attracting the youth to sport. Or as Thomas Bach says on a bi-daily basis: "Getting the couch potatoes off the couch".

Other core issues within Agenda 2020 have been high on the, well, agenda, here in Nanjing. Changes to the sports programme is one, with exhibition events in wushu, sport climbing, skateboarding and roller-skating along with innovative events in existing sports. Debate on changes to the host city selection process has also been discussed, with the IOC surely wishing that every Games-preparation process could be as trouble-free as Nanjing's has been.

Skateboarding at the Nanjing Sports Lab has been one exhibition-event success
©Nanjing 2014



And then there is President Bach himself. Still on the campaign trail this time last year, the German has long-ago settled into his Presidential role, but seems to have lost none of his enthusiasm and vigour. His excitement whenever he stumbled across a fellow fencer when touring the Athletes' Village was as genuine as whenever a volunteer is praised on a job well done.

As has been said before, Bach will be judged on the success of Agenda 2020 rather than his affability and charm, but he is a consummate politician and, for somebody who is supposedly far less keen on the Youth Olympics than his predecessor, he is doing a good job of adding to the vibe of the Games so far.

And his attempt to appear hip when calling for "selfies" at the Opening Ceremony certainly hit the mark more naturally than it would have if Rogge had made a similar appeal...

So while the weather and vibe in the Olympic Movement is different from last year, the Youth Olympics is so far proving similarly successful to the Asian Youth Games, and a good advertisement for the future of sport and its administration, and for China and its citizens.

And more than anything else it is another opportunity to get experience, for young journalists like myself as much as for the athletes.