The inclusion of cross country running in the 3rd edition of the Youth Games represents a positive step for the endurance discipline, with many hoping a return to the Olympic Games is now a possibility after 93 years in exile.

Paris in 1924 was the last time the event was included at an Olympic Games, but due to a mixture of high temperatures and fumes from a nearby energy plant only 15 of 38 athletes finished, resulting in cross country being axed and never returning to the competition.

At the Buenos Aires hosted Games, cross country will form part of the two stages to each athletics event, and follows the first stage of the 1500m, 3000m and 2000m steeplechase individual events.

Speaking to iaaf.org, IAAF president Seb Coe said: “Cross country is the endurance bedrock on which middle and long distance running is founded. We need to help ensure that coaches understand cross country’s importance to an athlete’s development and background. It was a vital component to my success on the track.

“I’m therefore delighted at the innovative way that track and cross country have been combined at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games. Overall success at the 1500m, 3000m and 2000m steeplechase track events in Buenos Aires is directly linked to cross country performance.

“It is a personal view and a long held one but I would love to see cross country back in the Olympic Games,” he added.

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The announcement today (September 13) by the International Olympic Committee was made in the Peruvian capital Lima and sees both cities join London as three-time hosts, with the Games returning to Paris 100 years after it last hosted the competition.

Initially, both cities had targeted the earlier 2024 Games, but after the IOC made funding guarantees, LA agreed to go second.

The funding guarantees by the IOC includes the American city receiving $180-million in advance, mostly for youth funding programmes, according to the LA Times.

Both cities have hosted the Games twice in the past, the French capital in 1900 and 1924 and the Californian city in 1932 and 1984.

Congratulations to @Paris2024​ & @LA2028​ future host cities #Olympics #IOCSession #Lima pic.twitter.com/gArpitvlP5

— Olympics (@Olympics) September 13, 2017

After Budapest, Hamburg, and Rome all withdrew their interest in hosting the Games, it left Paris and LA as the only candidates.

Thomas Bach, the IOC president said: “Congratulations to Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028!

“This historic double allocation is a ‘win-win-win’ situation for the city of Paris, the city of Los Angeles and the IOC. It is hard to imagine something better. Ensuring the stability of the Olympic Games for the athletes of the world for the next 11 years is something extraordinary.

“These are two great cities from two great countries with a great Olympic history. Both cities are very enthusiastic about the Games and are promoting the Olympic spirit in a fantastic way.”

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