Apart from sports, the six-day event saw multiple panel discussions on topics such as inclusion, tolerance and access to sport.

Workshops on muaythai, the national sport of Thailand, featured prominently on all days of the event.

Fox is also general secretary of the International Federation of Muaythai Associations.

Leeswadtrakul, the only IOC member from Thailand, delivered a short virtual speech at beginning of the Closing Ceremony.

She began by extending a warm welcome to all the UTS Youth Ambassadors and participants.

"Friends and colleagues from the IOC, IPC [International Paralympic Committee], Olympic host cities, AIMS [Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sports], SportAccord and youth all around the world," Leeswadtrakul said.

"Welcome to Thailand, the land of smiles.

"I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the youth across all sports and abilities to the UTS World Youth Festival 2022.

"The new generations will be united and together, they will help make this world a better and safer place.

"Thank you so much." 

Meanwhile, Fox expressed hope that the festival has created friendships that "will continue for many years".

"I do not want to make a big speech," Fox said at the Closing Ceremony.

"We have had many of those this week.

"I want to thank the Thai Government for making this event happen and the Srinakharinwirot University for lending us their facilities.

"I would like to thank our partners and Youth Ambassadors.

"I hope they made a lot of friends and I hope this friendship will continue for many years.

"I want to thank my entire team for organising the event.

"It was amazing, and we will see you all in 2023."

The festival celebrated the International Day for Tolerance on Wednesday (November 16) with Afghan IOC member Samira Asghari and United Nations Economic and Social Council President Lachezara Stoeva among the speakers.

Educational seminars on anti-doping, gender equality, safe sport, human trafficking and self-defence saw more than 2,000 children from five continents take part.

Yesterday, migrant children from city of Mae Sot, known for human trafficking and he drugs trade, had a chance to interact and train with Olympians and Paralympians.  

The World Youth Festival, staged under the patronage of the IOC, the IPC and Special Olympics saw more than 140 international organisations attend the event physically and online.

The last day of the event saw the Bangkok Urban Games take place.

It has always been a part of the festival and Fox was delighted in the way it has grown.

"We had about 20 teams taking part the first time," Fox said.

"Today, over 60 teams are here, and I couldn’t be happier."