By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

June 25 - More than 500 athletes, including Victoria Ohuruogu (pictured), the sister of Britain's Olympic 400 metres champion Christine,  have been chosen to compete at the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) announced today.



A total of 511athletes have been picked via a series of Area competitions in Oceania, South America, North America, Africa, Europe and Asia. 

At the Youth Olympics a maximum of one athlete per National Olympic Committee (NOC) can compete in each individual event and no athlete can compete in more than one individual event.

Ohuruogu is one of 11 British athletes selected for the event which is due to open on August 14 and, like her sister, will compete in the 400m where she will be the eighth fastest runner in the field with a personal best of 54.17sec.

Ohuruogu, 17, only started training seriously in August 2006 but has made rapid progress after initially starting at the Newham Sports Academy set-up by 1984 Olympic javelin champion Tessa Sanderson, who has tipped her to run alongside her sister at London 2012.

There are 18 events for both boys and girls in Singapore and 16 athletes per each individual event while there is a medley relay consisting of legs of 100-200-300-400 metres. 

Athletes from the individual events can also compete in the relay.

Each of the five Olympic Areas - Africa, Europe, Oceania, Americas and Asia - are entitled to one representative per event.

However, in recognition of the proficiency that some areas have for particular events the representation distribution was weighted.

For example the boy's 100m field of 16 will be one from Africa, four from Europe, one from Oceania, seven from the Americas and three from Asia.

The most competitors any area is allowed is 10 for Europe in the girls hammer.

In addition to the athletes selected from the Area competitions, an additional 120 athletes may participate, regardless of performance, in the event of their choice, subject to certain exceptions.

These final allocations are decided by the International Olympic Committee in consultation with the NOCs and IAAF.

To see the full list of athletes selected click here.

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