Each National Olympic Committee (NOC) can enter a maximum of 36 athletes, 18 per each gender and 1 per each event. In total, 680 (340 boys and 340 girls) athletes will compete at the Youth Olympics with continental qualification events deciding the majority of athletes. The distribution of quotas was decided based on the results from the 2015 World Youth Championships and 2017 World Youth Championships. As hosts, Argentina is given 4 quotas, 2 per each gender and universality places will be given to nations whom did not qualify an athlete with a maximum of 1 boy or girl per nation. These quotas will be subtracted from that nation's continental quota in the relevant event. All athletes qualified in the 1500 m, 3000 m and 2000 m steeplechase will compete their Stage 2 event in the cross country run.