The website launch comes as the Chinese city steps up their preparations to host the second edition of the Summer Youth Olympics following the huge success of the inaugural edition of the event in Singapore in 2010.

The 500 days to go milestone has seen a variety of celebrations take place across Nanjing with hundreds of school pupils marking the occasion by donning their trainers for a long-distance running race.

Volunteers and young journalists have also taken part in a tree-planting day held at Laoshan Forest Park and even further afield, the 'Dream Bicycle Team' of Nanjing 2014 completed a tour of Chinese Taipei, spreading the message of the Youth Olympic Games.

"Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the talented Nanjing 2014 team, impressive progress has been made," said Nanjing 2014 President Yang Weitze.

"I am in absolutely no doubt that the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games will be a great success and inspire young people from the city, nation and around the world to become more active in sport."


Around 3,600 athletes aged between 15 and 18 are set to compete at Nanjing 2014 in the 26 Olympic sports that will appear at Rio 2016.

The event is due take place from August 16 until 228 with the Opening Ceremony and the majority of sports set to take place at the giant Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre.

To view the new look Nanjing 2014 website click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]