The International Olympic Committee will introduce the Youth Olympic Games in 2010, said IOC President Jacques Rogge here on Wednesday.

The Games, also with summer and winter versions alternating every four years like the Olympic Games, will have athletes aged from 14 to 18.

The inaugural summer Games will begin in the summer of 2010 with duration of 10 days while the seven-day winter version will be staged in early spring in 2012.

Compared with other events, the youth Games will have a strong emphasis on education instead of competition, Rogge said.

"There is competition of course but the main goal is to give the youth education based on Olympic values," said Rogge after the IOC executive board meeting in Beijing.

He said the 3,000 athletes for the summer Games and 1,000 for the winter version will have an experience very helpful if they go on to become a true Olympian.

"There will be an athlete village and protocals. It will be like a preparation for their future Olympic Games," he said.