Santos, who was elected President in 2010, will spend two days here to prepare with the rest of the team and will address the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its Extraordinary Session in the Beaulieu Lausanne.

He will be joined in Lausanne by the Mayor of Medellin, Aníbal Gaviria Correa, and Colombia's Sports Minister Andres Botero Phillipsbourne, an IOC member, to outline the city's vision. 

Medellin have emerged as the favourites to be awarded the event, which will be the third time the Summer Youth Olympic Games have been staged since they were launched at Singapore in 2010, but face opposition from Glasgow with Buenos Aires considered the outsiders.

The decision is due to be announced at 3.55pm on Thursday. 

"The Youth Olympic Games will represent the largest and most important international event to take place in my country's history - and the impact it will have on both the Republic of Colombia and the city of Medellín cannot be understated," said Santos.

"We are committed to making this dream come true.

"It is an honour to lead the Medellín team in Lausanne and explain the impact the Games will have on Colombia to the leaders of the Olympic Movement.

"Medellín is a living example of the power of sport and its impact on the lives of young people, and the Olympic ideals inspire generations through its positive values.

"It is an ideal fit for the Youth Olympic Games."


Santos will be keen to emphasise that Medellin will be safe to host the event if they are awarded it.

The city was formerly at the centre of Colombia's drugs trade until it was broken up in 1993.

Since then Medellin has been transformed but Santos knows that its reputation still sometimes proceeds it.

"As President of Colombia, I guarantee not only the financial backing to meet the needs to host the event, but the safety of all visitors who will come to take part in this festival of sport, beginning with the young athletes," he said.

"Medellín has already demonstrated through hosting other events the power of its people and the passion with which they work every day and how they make things happen. It is time for the world to see what we can do."

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