The Committee has even gone so far as to identify Argentina's south-eastern region of Patagonia, which comprises the southern section of the Andes mountains, as a possible location to host the Winter Games.

Steps are being taken to refresh the Olympic sports programme and the Games through the Agenda 2020 reform, which will conclude at an Extraordinary International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Monaco in December, and the COA believe this provides "a great platform for the future" of the Olympic Movement.

Argentina has never hosted an Olympic Games, but it could capitalise on the Movement's arrival in South America for Rio 2016 and help promote the Games across the continent.

Argentina's south-eastern region of Patagonia may be the subject of a future Winter Olympic bid, it has been revealed ©Getty Images



After failed bids for the Summer Olympics in 1936, 1956, 1968 and 2004, Buenos Aires' success in securing the 2018 Youth Olympics, ahead of Medellin and Glasgow, offers plenty of reason for encouragement.

Argentina have previously indicated that if the Youth Olympics are a success then they may launch a bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics. 

But if Patagonia were to host the Winter Olympics it would require a major shift in the calendar as it is located in the Southern Hemisphere, as the main ski season there is from mid-June to late September. 

Since the Winter Olympics was first held in Chamonix, France, in 1924, the Games have always been held in the Northern Hemisphere.  

"The COA is looking forward to hosting the YOG in Buenos Aires in 2018," read the statement.

"We are proud to be an IOC Host City and our work to deliver a great YOG is now well underway.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for both the country and the city and we are working closely with the IOC to ensure an exciting event."

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