Bolivarian Youth Games postponed to 2027 after earthquakes

The upcoming II Bolivarian Games of the Youth have been rescheduled, with organizers now targeting May 2027 as a tentative date. The event, originally slated to begin on November 25 in Greater Caracas, was postponed due to the significant earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24.

The decision to delay the games was made by the Bolivarian Sports Organization (Odebo) to allow the nation to focus on recovery efforts. Odebo President Baltazar Medina stated at the time that it was "convenient and respectful" to postpone the games, acknowledging that the government's attention and resources needed to be directed toward the country's restoration.

Members of the organizing committee recently met at the Ministry of Sport in Caracas to address various logistical aspects. Discussions included the reassignment of venues, the selection of sports disciplines, and the overall reprogramming of the event. La Guaira, a coastal region heavily impacted by the earthquakes, is being evaluated as a potential sub-venue for several events, including triathlon, road cycling, indoor and beach volleyball, open water swimming, and football.

The Bolivarian Games of the Youth bring together athletes aged 14 to 20 from several South American countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. The second edition was planned to feature 28 sports and 31 disciplines. Initially, 18 disciplines were to be held in Caracas, eight in Miranda, and the remaining five in La Guaira. The committee's next step involves reviewing and confirming the specific venues for each discipline.