Kuala Lumpur, July 29 (IANS): The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board has approved the event programme for the third Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) set to take place in Buenos Aires in 2018.

The programme sees even more of the popular innovations that have become synonymous with the event and an increased gender balance. Joining the programme for the first time in 2018 will be, among others, BMX freestyle, kiteboarding and beach handball, reports Xinhua.

"The Youth Olympics are leading the way in terms of innovations and testing new concepts and we are impressed with the creativity from the International Federations (IF) to make this event appeal to young athletes and audiences. I am confident 2018 will be a great success," said Buenos Aires 2018 Coordination Commission Chairman Frank Fredericks here on Tuesday.

The Buenos Aires 2018 organisers (BAYOGOC) are in full support of the new programme which is very much in line with their vision and are striving to make the event the most unique and youth-appealing to date.

"We saw in Nanjing 2014 the appeal of these new innovations created by the IF and we are looking forward to working with them and the IOC to push this concept further. All 28 IFs have been very flexible in their approach and through this event are continuously developing their sports," BAYOGOC chief executive Leandro Larrosa said.

Innovation and gender equality have been key principles of the Youth Olympics since their inaugural event in Singapore in 2010. The event strives to reach and engage local youth, bring together the world's best young athletes and inspire youngsters to get active. It has become renowned as a laboratory for sporting innovation and a catalyst for initiatives for the Olympic Movement.