Italy participated at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 6 October to 18 October 2018.
Italy qualified one archer based on its performance at the 2017 World Archery Youth Championships.
Italy qualified 13 athletes, based on 2018 European Athletics U18 Championships results.
Girls (5)
Italy qualified one player based on the Badminton Junior World Rankings.
Italy qualified a boys' team based on the U18 3x3 National Federation Ranking.
But Italy took only 3 athletes to Buenos Aires. Italy were the only team to compete with only 3 players in the tournament. In spite of that they reached up to the quarter-final, where they lost to Ukraine in a thrilling contest.
Athletes
Italy qualified a girls' team based on their performance at 2017-18 European Youth Continental Cup Final.
Italy qualified one boxer based on its performance at the 2017 Youth Women's World Boxing Championships.
Italy qualified one boat based on its performance at the 2018 World Qualification Event.
Italy qualified a boys' and girls' combined team based on its ranking in the Youth Olympic Games Junior Nation Rankings.
Italy qualified two dancers based on its performance at the 2018 World Youth Breaking Championship.
Italy qualified a rider based on its performance at the FEI European Junior Jumping Championships.
Italy qualified five athletes based on its performance at the 2018 Cadet World Championship but only three will compete.
Italy qualified two gymnasts based on its performance at the 2018 European Junior Championship.
Italy qualified one rhythmic gymnast based on its performance at the European qualification event.
Italy qualified one athlete based on the rankings in the Buenos Aires 2018 Olympic Standings.
Italy qualified two pentathletes based on its performance at the European Youth Olympic Games Qualifier. Italy qualified a second female based on its performance at the 2018 Youth A World Championship. The nation must choose between the two girls.
Italy qualified two roller skaters based on its performance at the 2018 Roller Speed Skating World Championship.
Italy qualified one boat based on its performance at the 2017 World Junior Rowing Championships. Later, Italy qualified a boys' pair boat based on its performance at the 2018 European Rowing Junior Championships.
Italy qualified two boats based on its performance at the 2017 World Techno 293+ Championships. Italy qualified an additional boat based on its performance at the 2018 IKA Twin Tip Racing Youth World Championship. A Nacra 15 boat was qualified based on their performance at the 2018 Nacra 15 World Championships.
Italy qualified one sport shooter based on its performance at the 2017 European Championships. Italy later qualified a rifle sport shooter based on its performance at the 2018 European Championships.
Italy qualified three sport climbers based on its performance at the 2017 World Youth Sport Climbing Championships. They also qualified a second female climber based on its performance at the 2017 European Youth Sport Climbing Championships.
Italy qualified two table tennis players based on its performance at the Road to Buenos Aires (Latin America) series.
Italy qualified two athletes based on its performance at the 2018 European Youth Olympic Games Qualifier.
Italy qualified two athletes based on its performance at the 2017 World Youth Championships.