He is concerned that the Youth Olympics has got away from its original idea as something on a much smaller and sustainable scale that the senior version, providing an opportunity for cities who would not be capable of hosting a Summer or Winter Games. 

But,while the inaugural event in Singapore four years ago was on a such a scale, as was the first Winter edition in Innsbruck in 2012, this event has been far larger, with the Opening Ceremony and venues, including the Youth Olympic Village, on a par with those seen in Sochi earlier this year. 

This presents a challenge for 2018 host city Buenos Aires, who may now feel obliged to up the scale of their plans. 

Masseglia, head of the CNOSF since 2009, was full of praise for the Organising Committee, but also raised doubts about the legacy of the event, which Nanjing were awarded in February 2010 after narrowly beating Polish city Poznań.  

"I myself am impressed with the resources used," Masseglia told the official French Olympic Committee website. 

"Here in Nanjing, we are almost at the level of an organisation of the Olympic Games. 

"It was not, in my opinion, the goal. 

"Obviously we can not criticise the scale chosen by the organisers of Nanjing 2014, but at the same time, we must ask ourselves if it is worth it. 

"Originally, the Youth Olympics would allow some countries ill-equipped to organise the Olympic Games, to be able to support a global test level, a notch below the Olympics.

"I think for the experience that young people will live is great, but at the same time, it raises questions about who can provide this level of Youth Olympic Games." 

The future path of the Youth Olympics is one part of the Olympic Agenda 2020 reform process ©AFP/Getty Images



These comments come in the midst of the Agenda 2020 reform process started by IOC President Thomas Bach.

Future decisions are due to be taken at the IOC Session in Monte Carlo on December 8 and 9.

The future shape of the Youth Olympics is one component of this, and despite the obvious benefits of the event seen here over recent days, there is a belief the Games are not worth the vast resources needed to host them.

Bach has also implied some understanding of Masseglia's opinion, by insisting that Nanjing should not become a "blueprint" for future Games.

"Each edition, of the Youth Olympic Games or Olympic Games, has to be different," Bach told insidethegames.

"If you take one Games as a blueprint for one another it would be pretty boring."

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