NANJING, July 21 -- More than 3700 athletes from 204 countries and regions will be taking part in the summer Youth Olympic Games to be held next month in Nanjing, organizers confirmed on Monday.

According to the Nanjing Organizing Committee for the 2014 Youth Olympics (NYOGOC), a total of 3787 athletes from 204 NOCs have completed registration procedures by the deadline of July 18 for the Nanjing Youth Games.

Host China will be represented by 123 athletes, the largest delegation among all 204 NOCs, at the Aug. 16-28 Games.

Nanjing 2014 will be the second edition of the summer Youth Olympic Games, following the inaugural edition in Singapore in 2010.

The Youth Olympic Games, the brainchild of former IOC president Jacques Rogge, are for the young athletes aged between 15 and 18.