[Official Thread] S'pore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG)
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Stay tuned for lastest news with regards to the S'pore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG)
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YOG tickets go on sale Wed
TICKETS of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games will go on sale worldwide from Wednesday.
Around 320,000 tickets will be made available for the 200 events across 26 sports with tickets priced at $10 (preliminaries), $15 (quarter-finals/ semi-finals) and $30 (finals).
They can be purchased online at the YOG official website (www.singapore2010.sg/tickets), at authorised sales counters island-wide or via the official ticketing hotline (+65 6348 2010).
Each ticket purchased is accompanied by a Singapore 2010 DBS Visa Prepaid Companion Card.
This card entitles the spectator to a maximum of four Mass Rapid Transit train rides and unlimited bus rides on the day of the event.
The Aug 14 to 26 Games, hosted here in Singapore, will welcome an estimated 3,600 athletes, aged between 14 and 18, from 205 National Olympic Committees worldwide.
-- ST
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YOG organisers say first day ticket sales encouraging
SINGAPORE: Tickets for the world's first Youth Olympic Games (YOG) went on sale Wednesday on-line, through a hotline, and over 35 counters, including six overseas.
Organisers said that sales have been encouraging, with more than 50 per cent of the tickets sold online.
When Channel NewsAsia visited one of 29 SISTIC counters selling the YOG tickets on Wednesday, the response was slow.
No purchases were made at the Novena outlet when our news team was there just after lunch; but earlier, 67 tickets were sold.
63 of those were bought through on-line booking and the collection made at the counter.
Tickets can also be purchased through a Hotline at +65 63482010.
Overall, organisers said more than 600 tickets were snapped online in the first 30 minutes of operations.
They were unable to give a total sales figure for the day, but added that most transactions were from Singapore.
The fastest selling tickets were for diving, gymnastics and swimming.
Due to the overwhelming response, some sessions for these sports are unavailable for the moment.
MediaCorp understands organisers are looking at making provisions to offer more tickets for these popular sports.
While it is still early days, organisers said they are confident that all 320,000 tickets will be sold.
However, they said they have contingency plans should demand be slow.
Organisers also confirmed that no discounts and complimentary tickets will be offered.
- CNA/yb -
Best seats for opening ceremony of Youth Olympic Games could cost S$200
SINGAPORE: As Singapore gets set to welcome athletes and officials to the YOG with a colourful opening ceremony at The Float@Marina Bay on August 14, MediaCorp has learnt that tickets for the best seats could cost S$200, with the cheapest at S$30.
Tickets for the closing ceremony at the same venue on August 26 are understood to be priced between S$15 and S$80.
Full details of the final ticket prices are expected to be announced later this month.
While no figures are available as to how many tickets will go on sale for both ceremonies, they are expected to be allocated via balloting due to the limited seating capacity at The Float@Marina Bay which can accommodate 25,000 spectators.
The creative director for both ceremonies is theatre director, actor and playwright Ivan Heng, while Cultural Medallion recipient Iskandar Ismail will be in charge of sound and music.
Last month, the government launched a tender for costumes for participants in the Games' opening and closing ceremonies on www.gebiz.gov.sg. The tender closes on April 5.
The Youth Olympics will feature athletes aged between 14 and 18 years competing in 200 events across 26 sports.
On Wednesday, the organisers released 320,000 tickets for sale via the Internet, phone booking and at 29 SISTIC outlets islandwide. These tickets can also be purchased through six SISTIC outlets in Indonesia and Malaysia.
"I would pay S$200 for the best seats," said Ding Yifei, a 29-year-old sports scientist.
"The pricing is alright for a prestigious event like this and we cannot always expect really low prices simply because it is a youth event. But the price must be justified with good quality content."
However, operations executive Vic Ng felt otherwise.
"I will pay money to watch the Youth Olympics, but not for the opening or closing ceremony," said the 33-year-old.
"I'd rather spend the money on attending the sports events and watching the athletes in action,” he added.- CNA/vm
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YOG to provide horses for equestrian competition
SINGAPORE: Organisers of the first Youth Olympic Games (YOG) will bring in their own horses for the equestrian events.
This is to ensure a level playing field as horses at equestrian events are generally brought in by the riders.
Set to arrive in July, the 38 Australian thoroughbred horses will undergo riding tests and veterinary inspections before they are selected.
They will get to meet their riders just a day before the opening of the games in August.
"On the August 13, the riders will be balloted a horse, and the rider and the horse will stay together for the competition throughout the games," said Patrick Lee, director of Sports & Venues from the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee.
"After August 13, the riders will train with the horse once a day, so that they get acquainted with each other before the competition starts on the August 18."
Organisers said they chose Australian thoroughbreds as they are generally lighter and more suited to Singapore's tropical climate.
After the games, the horses will be relocated to clubs and riding schools in Singapore.
- CNA/yb -
S'pore weightlifters looking at finishing top 10 at upcoming YOG
SINGAPORE: Singapore's weightlifters are hoping to lift the sport to a higher level by competing at the upcoming Youth Olympic Games and while they are not targeting medals, they are hoping to begin developing future champions.
17-year-old Jaimee Wee really pushed herself to lift the heaviest weights she could in qualifier competitions for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games.
The ITE student almost knocked herself out as she attempted to lift 60kg but thankfully, no serious damage was done.
She said: "Basically there is a vein over here so if you lift the weight, the blood supply stops to the brain. It has happened once before but I didn't drop down like that, I was just a bit blur."
The plucky girl went on to clear 60 kilograms for the clean and jerk and combined with her 50kg for the snatch category, her 110kg total marked an improvement over her previous qualifier result.
She still wants to better that and such spirit among young athletes is what is helping the sport of weightlifting make a comeback of sorts in Singapore.
Joining Wee for the selections are two other athletes including Ng Choon Yeow who is making a switch from badminton.
And he knows he has much to do including beefing up a little if he wants to do better in the sport.
He said: "My balance is not that good so I have to improve on my balance, so that I could carry heavier weights."
He's up against Victoria Junior College student Joel Law.
Joel said: "I think my chances are quite good because according to the website I have already met the qualification criteria for YOG because the total for qualifying on the website stated 132.5kg and today I already managed to lift 139."
The trio recently returned from a three-week training stint in Zhuhai, China where they picked up new tips from their Chinese peers.
China and other European powerhouses will be favourites to win medals at the YOG in August.
The Singapore Weightlifting Federation has set the target for its athletes to finish in the top fifth or sixth spot at the YOG as they aim to build for the future.
For now a host of other overseas tournaments awaits the lifters, as well as a final qualifying round in May.
Most of the young athletes said they were inspired by Singapore's most famous weightlifter, Tan Howe Liang.
Tan won Singapore first Olympic medal, a silver at the 1960 Rome Games.- CNA/vm
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FINA looking to bring US swim team to S'pore for YOG
SINGAPORE : The US swim team could be at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore in August after all.
The Americans, one of the powerhouses in the sport, had earlier said that they will not be competing at the Games as they did not think the competition would be of a high level.
FINA's executive director Cornel Marculescu is working to bring the US swim team to Singapore, before they head for the Pan American Games.
The Romanian, who is in town for the 9th FINA World Swimming Officials seminar, said that besides swimming, the diving competition is also expected to be world class.
15-year-old Tom Daley from Britain, the current world champion for the 10-metre event, will be competing in Singapore in August.
Meanwhile, the unique format at the Youth Games, such as the mixed gender relay, could be extended to other major meets.
Mr Marculescu said: "Probably the mixed relay can be something which may be of interest at the end of the day...It is a very good opportunity to test new ideas which after that may become an event in a world championship or in the Olympic programme..."
For more on the US swim team's plan to compete at the YOG, read Monday's edition of the TODAY newspaper.- CNA/ms
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Fewer hostel rooms left for students when NTU becomes Youth Olympic Village
The Nanyang Technological University will be housing some 5,000 athletes and coaches who will be here for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games this August.
Some students may have to move out of NTU's hostels while the athletes are in town.
The Newsdesk with more :
Refurbished hostels in NTU will transform into the Youth Olympic Village come August when the games kick off.
To make room for their foreign guests, Lee Chee Meng, a third-year student from Malaysia, may have to move out by end May during his three-month vacation.
Chee Meng, a YOG volunteer, says he's prepared for this arrangement when NTU was named Youth Olympic Village in August 2008.
"Actually the feeling is quite complicated because we are proud to be part of the YOG but it's sad that I need to find off campus accommodation."
While most locals can choose to go home during the holidays, it's a different story for foreigners like Chee Meng and his Filipino roommate, Neil Brian.
Neil said he would prefer to stay on campus during the holidays as he is involved in organising the freshman orientation camp.
"I find it very troublesome to begin with because for foreign students with no residence here - and for me especially, because I don't have any family members here - I'll have to resort to renting rooms from outside."
The situation may not be all that bad.
About 3,300 places have been reserved for NTU students during the vacation.
Associate Professor Lok Tat Seng is the Dean of Students at NTU :
"Anyone who's undertaking a course or academic programme will be given top priority to remain in those six halls of residence."
NTU says about 2,800 to 4,500 students choose to remain on campus during the holidays.
Results of hostel applications will be released by end May.
But some students aren't wasting any time in hunting for accommodation.
The university maintains an online platform where students can contact potential landlords.
But students say finding a suitable place is challenging since most landlords are only willing to rent their place out for at least half a year.-- 938Live
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Diving tickets for YOG sold out; public urged to book early to avoid disappointment
SINGAPORE: Tickets for the Youth Olympic Games are selling fast and the public is encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.
This update was given by the organisers at the latest sponsorship signing ceremony on Monday.
Pico Arts is the latest to come on board for the Youth Olympic Games.
Their more than S$2 million deal will cover overlays at the various venues.
And there was more good news about the games as organisers said ticket sales have been brisk.
A total of 320,000 tickets went on sale last week and sports like swimming, diving and gymnastics are seeing good demand.
Goh Kee Nguan, CEO, organising committee, Singapore Youth Olympic Games 2010, said: "Singaporeans actually make up 75 per cent of the ticket sales. Overseas, we have about 10 over countries that have come in to buy most of the tickets. For diving, most of the tickets are not available any more. For swimming more than 50 per cent of the tickets has also been taken up."- CNA/vm
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Ban on Iran's girl footballers
IRAN'S girls' football team has been kicked out of the upcoming Youth Olympic Games here on Aug 14 to 26 because Fifa rules prevent players from wearing an Islamic headscarf.
Appeals from the Iran National Olympic Committee (NOC) to review the ban were rejected by Fifa, the sport's world governing body.
The Asian Football Confederation said in a statement on Monday: 'Fifa decreed that the wearing of Islamic hijab was not in accordance with the laws of the game.'
Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke had said in a letter to the Iran Football Federation: 'Taking into consideration the clear position stated by the (Olympic committee) of Iran, the Fifa executive committee had no choice but to take the decision that (Iran) will not be able to participate.'
Fifa's international rule book contains a section on players' onfield equipment and attire. One of the decisions under Law 4 states: 'The basic compulsory equipment must not have any political, religious or personal statements.'
This is the second time within a year that the issue of athletes donning a hijab has cropped up in Singapore.
-- ST
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Mascots Lyo & Merly give school sports day a touch of YOG
SINGAPORE: Two very special guests gave Changkat Primary School a touch of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) at its sports day in Bedok Stadium on Friday morning.
Lyo and Merly, mascots of the inaugural YOG, got the pupils neatly excited.
The children took part in a number of activities, including a mass workout led by the parent support group.
The special appearance of Lyo and Merly is part of the Youth Olympic Games' programme to reach out to schools.
- CNA/yb -
Organisers give glimpse of opening and closing ceremonies of YOG
SINGAPORE: Details of the much-anticipated Opening and Closing ceremonies of the world's first Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are out.
Organisers did not want to disclose too much, saying it is still work in progress.
But they said the shows will be by the young, for the young, and inspire global unity and national pride.
The National Day Parade at the Marina Bay Floating Platform has wowed Singaporeans over the years.
But come August, the venue will stage the biggest party for a global audience, where an estimated 7,000 youths are expected to perform in the first-ever Opening Ceremony of an Olympic Games to be held on the waterfront with a city skyline as a backdrop.
The opening ceremony of the YOG will kick off at 20:10 hours or 8.10pm Singapore time on August 14 and will last for two hours. The Games will close on August 26.
25,000 people will be at the platform for each of the ceremonies, with billions more around the world watching it on TV and via new media.
It will be history in the making, as organisers said the inaugural Games will create a new chapter in the Olympic movement.
But organisers were tight-lipped about revealing too much.
"(There will be) 7,600 performers, (with)...lighting...multimedia...fireworks, fountains, huge props, and an amazing set against this beautiful backdrop," said Ivan Heng, creative director, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Singapore Youth Olympic Games 2010.
The Opening Ceremony will showcase Singapore's multi-racial diversity and elements from around the world.
The creative team brainstormed with young people for their ideas.
"We had workshops in early February last year when we got together with a group of youths. Over the course of two weeks, we sat down and we really talked to each other. We listened to what they felt what the YOG Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony should be," said Mr Heng.
He added, "This is going to be an event that will be very much involved by youths. It would be for the youths and we will be working with the youths."
While not like the Beijing Olympics, the team said Singapore will deliver a memorable show, despite its modest budget.
Francis Chong, Deputy CEO, Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee, said, "It is not about outspending or bragging rights. If that is the case, big cities always have the edge. It is about finding and creating the meaning.
"It is not about how much is being spent. Enough will be spent to create a show that will move people and entertain."
His comments were echoed by Mr Heng, who believes that sincerity matters more than a big budget.
He said: "A big budget does not mean good (shows). You can make good shows with a smaller budget but with a lot of heart. That is what we want to do."
The team also faces another challenge - the short lead-up time in getting the resources, concept and performers together.
"Performers are being trained as we speak, and that training is more the kind of dancers that we want, costumes are being created...and this will all come together sometime in mid-July when we begin the combined rehearsals," said Brigadier-General Ishak Ismail, chairman, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Singapore Youth Olympic Games 2010.
Organisers are expecting good demand for seats and tickets will be offered through a balloting system, where each person is only allowed to buy four tickets. The tickets themselves are unique as they are an all-in-one event ticket - allowing entry, transit and payment.
Tickets range from S$30 to S$200 for the Opening Ceremony and S$15 to S$80 for the Closing Ceremony.
Registration starts on April 23 and can be done online at www.singapore2010.sg/tickets or through a hotline, +65 63482010.- CNA/fa
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Scott Ang, Clara Wong win final trials to select Singapore triathletes for YOG
SINGAPORE: It started out as a cloudy, damp day but ended with some fiery competition as four young Singaporean triathletes battled it out for the chance to represent their country at the Youth Olympic Games in August.
And Scott Ang and Clara Wong clinched the two spots on offer at the final YOG selection trial held on Saturday as part of the OSIM Singapore International Triathlon.
There were some nervous faces on the start line at the East Coast Park as 17-year-old Scott lined up to take on Travis Woodford.
But the Anglo-Chinese School International student led from the gun and opened up a two-minute lead over Travis in the swim leg.
He extended his lead on the bike before finishing off with a fast run to secure his YOG slot.
He clocked a time of one-hour 26 minutes for the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and 5-kilometre run.
Victoria Junior College student Clara, also 17, used her balanced swim, bike and run skills to beat Samantha Ho by almost eight minutes, and she credits an overseas training stint for her strong performance.
Clara Wong, winner, YOG Final Triathlon Selection Trial, said: "Last year, from November 20 to December 20, I went to Kunming, China, for high-altitude training especially for bike training and I have to give credit to that as my cycling really improved after that." - CNA/vm -
20,000 YOG tickets sold
Some 20,000 tickets for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games have been sold.
Teo Ser Luck is the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports.
He said, he's quite happy with the progress.
"I think it will actually pick up for some of the other sports that is non mainstream. We hope to do more and create more publicity for the non-mainstream sports. The sports that are more popularly followed like swimming, diving and even football, they are selling well."
The organisers gave this update at a ceremony to relocate the first Countdown Clock for the Games.
The clock was moved from the City Hall site to its new home at One Fullerton.
Its latest location is more in line with the upcoming activities for the Games.
That's because the Opening and Closing ceremonies will be held at the Marina Bay Floating Platform.
A total of 320,000 tickets were put on sale for the Games that will kick off this August.-- 938Live
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Two sculptures commissioned for YOG
SINGAPORE : Sports will take centrestage at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
So will the arts, and half a million dollars will be spent to achieve this.
The idea is to show that the Games are more than just sports, and everyone can be part of the YOG.
Two Olympic-themed sculptures have been commissioned and they are the latest YOG installations at the Marina Bay Promenade.
The two pieces of art will be ready by July, and greet athletes and Singaporeans during the Youth Olympic Games in August.
These two artists are working to deliver it, despite having only three months to craft them.
22-year-old Huang Yifan is incorporating the 26 sports of the games.
"(I) have to do a bit of research on the sports first... And after that, I try to combine it into a circular form. It's quite a challenge but it takes time," said Huang, artist of the YOG sculpture.
Huang's art work "A World United " - a stainless steel structure measuring four metres in diameter - symbolises peace and mutual respect of different cultures.
36-year-old artist Edwin Cheong's 10-metre tall art piece called "Breathe" resembles moving trees.
"The site has an abundance of wind, and also in terms of the sculptures available in the surrounding, they are rather static, so I wanted to do (a)certain sculpture that is kinetic," explained Cheong.
The project is a collaboration between the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), City Developments Limited (CDL) and the Singapore Youth Olympic Organising Committee (SYOGOC).
Meanwhile, the countdown clock has recently been shifted to One Fullerton.
There will be also be a host of YOG-related activities - from the opening and closing ceremonies at the Floating Platform, to the official media centre and Marina Bay Sands. - CNA /ls -
YOG opening, closing ceremonies tickets to be balloted
The organiser is adopting a ballot-to-purchase system for tickets to the opening and closing ceremonies of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in August.
Members of the public who wish to purchase the tickets can register for the ballot from 9am tomorrow, at www.singapore2010.sg/tickets.
The organiser says it’s adopting the system as it expects demand for the Ceremonies to exceed the number of tickets available.
The ballot-to-purchase system, it says, will ensure that members of the public have a fair chance to buy the tickets.
Each person may register once for the Opening Ceremony and once for the Closing Ceremony for a maximum of four tickets per Ceremony, regardless of the price category.
Successful applicants will be informed to buy and collect their tickets between 24 May and 7 June.
Ticket prices for the Opening Ceremony range from $30 to $200.
Closing ceremony tickets cost between $15 and $80.
Both Ceremonies will be held at The Float@Marina Bay.
This is the first time in Olympic history that the Ceremonies will be held on the waterfront with a city skyline as the backdrop.
About 320,000 tickets for 158 sport competition sessions went on sale three weeks ago.
To date, 20,000 tickets have been sold, most of them through the Singapore 2010 website.
Close to 20% of the 158 ticketed competition sessions are currently unavailable.
These unavailable sessions include all diving sessions, as well as selected sessions for swimming, gymnastics, archery, basketball and equestrian.-- 938Live
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Pre-YOG competitions
ORGANISERS of the upcoming Youth Olympic Games have lined up another round of pre-event competitions as a warm-up for the international event which will be hosted in Singapore in August.
Tagged as the Friendship Games, the list of free events covers 10 sports ranging from gymnastics and archery to weightlifting and tennis in May and June.
A previous round of Friendship Games was held in January, with sports such as fencing and judo.
The pre-events are designated trial runs for some YOG venues such as the newly-refurbished Bishan Sports Hall, which was appointed the official gymnastics venue yesterday. Other venues were tested at the Asian Youth Games last year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng, who was guest-of-honour at a community Family Sports Day in Bishan yesterday, said: 'We will play host to promising young athletes from all over the world...Let us show our warmth and hospitality to the international athletes and visitors when they are in Singapore for YOG. Together, we can make the YOG an international success.'
About 250 residents attended the event, which included a mass workout, a cheerleading performance and the unveiling of a YOG plaque.
-- ST
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First of 3 cheers for upcoming Youth Olympic Games launched
SINGAPORE: The first of three cheers for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games was launched Thursday at Velocity@Novena Square.
The "You Are The One Singapore" music video was composed and performed by popular local singer-songwriter JJ Lin.
It is the first of three cheers for the inaugural Games.
The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) wants to have the cheers reverberate at sports events and venues leading up to the games.
The catchy three-minute music video features cameos by leading Singapore athletes past and present.
Former sprinting legend C Kunalan and swim star Ang Peng Siong, current national gymnasts Nicole Tay and Tabitha Tay, and swim sensation Tao Li will all be making appearances in the video.
The video is part of the "Cheer Singapore" campaign by the SSC.
The Games will be held in Singapore from August 14 to 26.
The music video can be viewed on the SSC's website.
- CNA/yb -
Singapore to celebrate 99-day YOG countdown on May 7 at *SCAPE
SINGAPORE: Come next Friday, Singapore will be just 99 days away from hosting the inaugural Youth Olympic Games.
To celebrate the countdown, a host of performances will be lined up at *SCAPE, where Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is slated to grace the occasion.
Youth and sports will take centre stage and a smashing good time can be expected at the countdown event.
Some 3,000 people are expected to turn up, including participants.
The uniforms that volunteers and officials will be wearing during the games will also be unveiled.
Organisers said they are confident of good international exposure for the Games.
Said Karen Au-Yong, deputy director of the Communications & PR Division at the Singapore YOG Organising Committee: "The IOC works closely with the international federations which are the sports associations as well as the National Olympic Committees and they've been working out their publicity plans, in terms of building up the awareness of and the publicity for the Games."
- CNA/yb -
39 athletes from 12 sports selected so far for YOG
SINGAPORE: The Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) revealed Tuesday an initial list of athletes that will represent the country at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games.
The Singapore contingent so far numbers 39 athletes from 12 individual sports. Two team sports, boys' football and boys' hockey, have also been fielded.
Notable absentees from the list are athletes in track and field and badminton.
With 31 individual slots still open, athletes have until end-May to convince selectors they should participate in the Games.
As for team sports, volleyball and handball have a two-week window.
The SNOC must submit a confirmed list of athletes to the International Olympic Committee by July 15.
The Youth Olympic Games will be held here from Aug 14-26 and will feature some 3,600 athletes from 205 nations doing battle in 26 Olympic sports.
All eyes will be on two athletes at the YOG - Sportsboy of the Year 2009 Darren Choy and Natasha Yokoyama, who have been chosen to do Singapore sailing proud at the Games.
Mr Choy says: "For me I honestly don't really feel any pressure, I mean, as a person myself I handle pressure quite well I think."
Ms Yokoyama says: "I'm actually quite confident to medal at YOG because this is our home ground and I know the conditions here very well - the weather, the wind, the waves, the current."
Other athletes selected so far hail from swimming, archery and judo, among others.
Says Deputy Prime Minister and president of SNOC: "What we've done is we have selected the athletes and the teams who have clearly demonstrated their qualification capability. There's a group of sports which have not yet finished their qualification trials yet, so we have to wait for those. And then there's a group of athletes who are on the margin and we have to evaluate those athletes again on a set of criteria to make sure that they're competitive."
- CNA/jy -
Largest YOG merchandise store opens in Orchard, organisers aim to sell more tickets
SINGAPORE: Organisers of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are aiming higher - to sell more than the initial target of 320,000 tickets that had gone on sale.
This was revealed at the opening of the largest merchandise store for the Games outside Ngee Ann City.
The Olympic buzz hits the Orchard Road shopping belt - at this store. It has 70 new products on offer, and business has been brisk.
The same can be said for ticket sales - prompting the organisers to aim to sell beyond the initial 320,000 tickets that had gone on sale.
With about 100 days to go to the Games on August 14, preparations are on track.
The Sports Minister also touched on the Singapore contingent for the Games, part of which was announced on Tuesday.
But he's not putting any undue pressure on the athletes.
Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, says: "I don't want to make predictions but it will soon become evident especially when other countries also start filing in their athlete list."
As the organisers step up the buzz - the new store should help to spread the word on the Games.
"The 70 new products are on top of the 50 that were launched when the merchandise first went on sale in November last year. And the range will be expanded to 500 during Games times, with the most expensive, this limited edition pen set.
- CNA/jy -
Registration for YOG opening & closing ceremonies tickets closes on Sunday
SINGAPORE: Those interested in getting tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in August have until midnight on Sunday to register.
The organisers introduced a ballot-to-purchase system for the sale of the tickets to ensure that members of the public have a fair chance to buy the tickets.
The Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee will mark 99 days to the YOG at a celebration event on Friday at *scape. It is inviting everyone to join the celebration.
Highlights of the event include the unveiling of the YOG uniforms and performance by band and Singapore Idol winners.
Limited edition YOG merchandise and souvenirs will also be on sale.
The YOG will receive some 5,000 athletes and officials, along with estimated 1,200 media representatives, 20,000 local and international volunteers, and 370,000 spectators
Registration can be made at www.singapore2010.sg/tickets or through the ticketing hotline 63482010.
Successful applicants will be informed to make payment and collect their tickets between 24 May and June 7.
- CNA/jy -
3 S'pore athletes to front Visa global campaign to promote YOG
SINGAPORE: Three Singaporean athletes will have the honour of being featured in a global campaign by Visa to promote the upcoming Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
The trio is part of the "Go World" campaign which was launched at the Singapore Sports School today.
16-year-old sailor Darren Choy, 17-year-old swimmer Amanda Lim and 15-year-old football player Jeffrey Lightfoot will be featured in posters and TV commercials.
The campaign will include celebrity swimmer Michael Phelps.
But the Singaporeans will have the distinction of competing in the upcoming Games.
Amanda Lim says: "Positive kind of motivation for me to since I am sort of the ambassador for this campaign."
Darren Choy says: "I'm hoping this would boost my confidence and I would train harder for the upcoming YOG."
The trio says fronting the campaign was something new and challenging.
Jeffrey Lightfoot says: "We took about 100 shots I think so I had to do it a lot of times, I don't think I did jump that high, but I think they edited it."
The ceremony was also attended by American gymnast Kerri Strug, who shared her experience with the students.
Strug is known for her memorable moment at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where she went on to help Team USA win gold despite competing with an injured left foot.
The "Go World" campaign started at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Besides Michael Phelps and Kerri Strug, the organisers are looking at bringing in other big name athletes before or during the Youth Olympics. And these sports superstars will not only be sharing their experience but also taking part in other activities like training session with young Singaporean athletes.
- CNA/jy -
IOC co-com satisfied with YOG prep on final visit
The 99-day countdown to the 2010 Youth Olympic Games will begin later this evening with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attending the celebrations at *Scape at Orchard Road.
And at a media conference today, International Olympic Committee Coordination Commission Chairman, Sergey Bubka, said the commission was satisfied with the preparations so far.
He described the organisers, the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee, as having worked diligently to deliver a best possible experience for all.
During the conference, a question was asked regarding the readiness of Marina Bay Sands, where the main media centre for the Games will be located.
But the commission said it had no issues with it, as it fulfilled all requirements.
The Integrated Resort has been plagued with teething problems since it opened, including a blackout during a legal conference.
Organisers added that ticket are selling well, and they are looking at increasing the capacity of some venues where sales have been very good, such as swimming and gymnastics.-- 938Live
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Organisers say about a third of YOG tickets sold or committed
SINGAPORE : One third of the 320,000 tickets for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) have been sold or committed.
This update was given by organisers at the latest and final IOC Coordination Commission meeting.
With three months to the games, organisers said Singapore is almost 90 per cent prepared.
Only final touches are needed, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has made three previous visits, said there are less questions to ask of the Singapore organisers.
Publicity on the YOG has been cranked up, and IOC President Jacques Rogge is personally looking into this area.
Manpower has been boosted with 1,000 personnel from government agencies deployed to help the 600 full time staff and 20,000 volunteers run the games.
The competition venues and Games Village are going through the final touch-up.
But the biggest challenge is not the technical aspect. Instead, it's keeping everyone involved motivated as they approach the final lap.
And all the efforts are paying off as ticket sales are brisk. Sales expected to pick up once the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have their final lists of athletes.
"More than one third (have been) sold or committed in different forms. We are also waiting for the NOCs. Once they have confirmed their selection of athletes, then you will the families and friends (of the athletes) coming to Singapore as well," said Ng Ser Miang, chairman of the Singapore YOG Organising Committee.
In fact, organisers are looking at selling over and above the 320,000 tickets earlier allotted as demand for some sports has been overwhelming.- CNA /ls