Now in its second year, the camp, run by the IJF and the Sergei Judo Camp Association, led by Swiss Olympic bronze medal winner Sergei Aschwanden, aims to promote and develop young judo athletes and their coaches.

In 2013, 30 nations took part, but that was doubled this year as the focus was placed on preparations for Nanjing.

"We used to organise a summer training camp here in the beautiful city of Fiesch, said President of the Sergei Judo Camp Association, Francis Favrod.

"Some years ago, Sergei Aschwanden came up with the idea of proposing something bigger.

"The SJC Association was born.

"Without the support of all our sponsors and partners we wouldn't have been able to welcome so many athletes and coaches.

"We wanted this camp to become a constructive platform for the future generations of champions.

"Without the incredible dialogue between the IJF, its President, Marius Vizer, and our association, with the help of our technical director, Sergei Aschwanden, we wouldn't have had the opportunity to offer seven days of powerful training to all the young athletes."

Three hundred and fifty judoka were put through their paces ahead of the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games ©IJF



As well as getting in some valuable training and practice, the young athletes got to mingle with each other and strike up friendships ahead of their stay at the Athletes' Village in Nanjing next month.

Organisers said the aim of the camp was to also promote the judo moral code and promote Olympic values.

Joining the athletes and coaches in Fiesch, Switzerland were a number of Olympic medallists, including Beijing 2008 bronze medallist Aschwanden and Romania's Alina Dumitru. who took gold in Beijing and is also a member of the IJF Athletes' Commission.

"Last year we had 30 nations, this time we have 70," said Aschwanden.

"I am dreaming to welcome here 100 countries.

"This year we focused on the preparation of the Youth Olympic Games.

"For the next edition we need to find new challenges.

"In collaboration with the IJF and the Olympic Movement, we really want to make this event sustainable.

"Having here, during several days, the best coaches and champions, who transfer their knowledge to the future generations of champions is a great chance.

"I really want to thank all our experts."

Beijing 2008 bronze medallist Sergei Aschwanden hands out some valuable tips and advice to young judoka ©IJF



Pierre Fratter-Bardy represented the International Olympic Committee and he added:  "I want, in the name of the International Olympic Committee, to congratulate you for this outstanding organisation and project.

"The key values of the Youth Olympic Games are to compete, to learn and to share.

"The IJF goes far beyond and has been developing a strategy over the whole cycle.

"The richness of the Youth Olympic Games is to promote the exchange and the learning between the young athletes and we help them to find a good balance in their daily life."

The Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games take place from August 16 to 28.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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