YOG organisers hit S$50m sponsorship target & expect up to S$20m more
SINGAPORE: Just two days after Singaporeans celebrated the 99-day mark for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games with a party at *SCAPE last Friday, there was more good news for organisers of the Youth event this week.
The Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (Syogoc)
has exceeded its sponsorship target of S$50million with the addition of
as beverage giant Coca-Cola to its stable of sponsors.
Syogoc chairman Ng Ser Miang expects that figure to go up by S$10
million to S$20 million from now till the opening ceremony at The Float @
Marina Bay on August 14.
Worldwide Olympic partner Coca-Cola has been associated with the Summer
Olympic Games since the 1928 Amsterdam Games, and will partner Syogoc to
provide cash, goods and services which includes over 1.5 million units
of beverages for the Games.
Coca-Cola has also signed on as Presenting Partner of the Singapore leg
of the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame (JYOF), which will see 52
torchbearers selected from the Voluntary Welfare Organisations.
Programmes to motivate torchbearers and spectators in the run up to the
six-day Singapore relay are expected to be announced at a later date,
and Coca-Cola's outdoor campaign visuals for the Youth Games will also
be displayed around the island.
The Olympic Flame will be lit in Olympia, Greece in July, and journey
thorough one city in each continent - Berlin, Dakar, Mexico City,
Auckland, and Seoul - before making its way to Singapore.
Some 2,400 torchbearers comprising people from all walks of life - 85
per cent will be members of the public - will be involved in the
Singapore leg, which will travel to the five community districts and end
off each day with a community celebration.
Local sports fans can also expect much more excitement in the weeks
leading to the Games, with team draws for football, volleyball, handball
and hockey to be held here from end May to early June.
- CNA/vm
YOG: SSC releases 3rd tranche of funds to NSAs
SINGAPORE : The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) has released its third tranche of funds from the S$6.2 million Singapore Youth Sports Development (SYSD) committee pool to help the National Sports Associations (NSAs) gear up for sports featured at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
This funding comes from the S$15 million announced by the
committee in April last year to support youth initiatives in Singapore.
Each NSA can expect about S$20,000 to S$100,000 from the third tranche
of funding.
To date, S$5.03 million has been disbursed to them in three tranches.
The SYSD committee was formed in September 2008. It comprises members
from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports; the
Ministry of Education; the Singapore National Olympic Council; the
Singapore Sports School; the SSC and the NSAs.
The committee aims to strengthen the youth sports system and ensure that
Singapore's athletes perform well at the YOG.
- CNA/al
YOG: Singapore's YOG preparations enter final stage
SINGAPORE : With 90 days to go, preparations for the inaugural 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are entering their final stage.
Over the next month, as many as 10 validation events will be held
at various competition venues islandwide to test hosts Singapore's
operational, logistical and administrative readiness for the Games,
which will be held from Aug 14-26.
"The validation exercises will further ensure we are operationally ready
for the Games," said Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee
(SYOGOC) CEO Goh Kee Nguan.
"At the same time, we would like to encourage the public to participate
and immerse themselves in the exciting sports atmosphere by catching
athletes in action at the pre-Games competitions," he added.
To help ramp up publicity and interest in the Games, Mayor of Central
District Zainudin Nordin on Sunday unveiled a plaque at Toa Payoh
Swimming Complex to signify the facility as one of the 18 competition
venues.
The festivities also saw some 350 brisk-walkers in a mass walkabout on
Sunday morning.
Over the next month, more than 700 athletes from over 30 National
Olympic Committees (NOC) will be here for the pre-Games validation
events in 10 sports - archery, athletics, basketball, canoe-kayak,
cycling (BMX and mountain bike), gymnastics, rowing, tennis, volleyball
and weightlifting.
The first of these will be the Asian Area Qualifying Championship for
Athletics at Bishan Stadium, and the Singapore Open Junior and Senior
Weightlifting Championships at Toa Payoh Sports Hall.
Both events will be held from May 22 to 23.
"We will also see more publicity, such as banners, community events, and
city dressing towards August. Billboards will also start appearing in
the heartlands like Toa Payoh, and... on the roads and streets. (We'll)
have more events to promote the YOG directly and indirectly," said Mr
Zainudin.
"There will also be the community envoys to talk about the Games,
increase the excitement, (and) organise activities towards the SYOG," he
added.
- CNA /ls
YOG team sports draws start on Tuesday
SINGAPORE: Preparations for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games have shifted into high gear with the start of the team sports draws.
Kicking off the series of draws is the Football team draw on
Tuesday.
The football competition comprises men and women events.
The six teams per event will divide into two groups of three for the
preliminaries.
Each team will play every other team in the group once.
The team draw will determine the grouping and match fixtures for the
preliminaries.
The two teams ranked first and second in each group will move on to the
semi-finals while the teams ranked third in each group play for fifth
and sixth place.
Teams participating in the men's football event in Singapore 2010 are
Bolivia, Montenegro, Singapore, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe and a team from the
Americas.
Chile, Equatorial Guinea, Papua New Guinea, Iran, Trinidad and Tobago,
and Turkey will compete in the Women's event. - CNA/vm
Preparations for YOG are well on track
Preparations for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games are well on track.
Speaking in Parliament, Community Development, Youth and Sports
MInister, Vivian Balakrishnan says the key components such as the
competition formats, the event schedule as well as the culture and
education programme have all been finalised.
"We have also completed the construction of 14 out of the 18 competition
venues. The remaining four will be completed within the next two
months. Training of the over 20 thousand volunteers which also includes
1000 public officers is also going on in earnest."
Dr Balakrishnan said through the Olympic Education and the Friends of
YOG programmes, both the Education Ministry as well as the YOG
Organising Committee have reached out to over 500,000 students.
They ranged from primary school students to those in the universities.
"Our young people have made their presence felt online through the YOG
Youth microsite. They have also expressed their views and contributed
their ideas and perspectives on the latest happenings and issues which
will affect Singhapore 2010. To date, we have 177 such projects and
initiatives which have reached to another 108 thousand young people."
The Organising Committee has also worked with community partners to
involve disadvantaged youths.
Such partners include the Wheelchair Basketball Association, Special
Olympic Singapore, and the St Andrew's School of Autism, says Dr
Balakrishnan.
He adds, to support the young athletes, the Singapore Youth Sports
Development Committee is investing up to $6.2 million to help the
National Sports Associations.
This will be used to set up a youth talent pipeline to prepare the young
people for the games and beyond.
-- 938Live
YOG: Asian qualifiers for athletics competition kick off at Bishan
SINGAPORE : Singapore is hosting more than 300 athletes from 36 Asian countries in an athletics competiiton at Bishan Stadium over the weekend.
They are taking part in the Asian Area Qualification which will select athletes from the Asian zone for the upcoming Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
Bishan Stadium will be the venue for the YOG athletics competition.
The highlight on Saturday for the two-day event was the 200 metres finals, with Japan's Homma Keisuke winning the boys event with his time of 21.23 seconds.
China's Lin Qingxia, the champion in the girls category, clocked
at 24.30 seconds.
Singapore did not see any of its athletes competing on day one qualify.
"There will be representation from Singapore, that's what they call home
court advantage. It's not that my athletes' standard is low. My
athletes' standard at youth and junior level right now, we are fast
moving up," said Loh Lin Kok, president of the Singapore Athletic
Association.
Being a validation exercise for the YOG, officials from the
International Association of Athletics Federations were present to check
on the progress.
And according to the Singapore organisers, the officials are happy with
what they have seen so far. But there are areas for improvement, such as
brighter lighting to better illuminate the track. - CNA /ls
YOG: China dominate Asian qualifiers for athletics at Bishan Stadium
SINGAPORE : The two-day Asian Area Qualification Championship for the upcoming Youth Olympic Games (YOG) ended at Bishan Stadium on Sunday.
And China continued its dominance from Saturday.
The boys' 100 metres finals was one event which every team wanted to
excel in.
But it was Thailand's Meenapra Jirapong who took gold, with his time of
10.72 seconds. Taiwan's Chen Jen-Chieh had to settle for second with a
time of 10.82 seconds while Japan's Nashimoto Masaki was third.
China was victorious in the girls' 100 metres dash with Ye Jiabei
clocking 11.76 six seconds.
Taiwan's Liao Ching-Hsien was second and Lee Sun-Ae from Korea came in
third.
The Chinese took top spots in 8 of the 20 events contested on Sunday.
For Singapore, none of its 16 athletes made the cut. But as host,
Singapore will get 10 slots at the YOG.
"Some of them have maintained their standards and for some of them, it
is a new experience for them and meeting up with new challenges. I think
it is a good experience for the young athletes, moving forward from
here," said C Veeramani, technical director of Singapore Athletic
Association. - CNA /ls
YOG theme song "Everyone" set for world premier on Sunday
SINGAPORE : The song that represents the spirit of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore will premiere worldwide on Sunday.
Entitled "Everyone", the theme song aims to become a global anthem
for today's youth.
It is written and produced by Singaporean record producer and composer
Ken Lim to reflect the spirit of over 3,600 athletes who will be in
Singapore.
"Everyone" is sung by Sean Kingston, Jody Williams, Steve Appleton,
Jessica Mauboy and Singapore's Tabitha Nauser.
The music video shows them performing at landmarks like the Marina
Barrage and Singapore Flyer.
At the YOG opening ceremony on August 14, all five will perform together
"live".
MediaCorp will be showcasing the YOG "live" on Channel 5.
- CNA /ls
Upgraded Tampines Bike Park ready for YOG
SINGAPORE: Organisers of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) have unveiled the upgraded Tampines Bike Park (TBP) as one of the competition venues.
The upgraded TBP was certified by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the International Federation for Cycling, as ready to host the Bicycle Moto-Cross (BMX) and Mountain Bike competition for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
Spanning over 23 hectares, the upgraded TBP is the first of its kind in Olympic Games. It is designed such that spectators to the Singapore 2010 races will be able to have a clear view of the BMX competition as well as watch the start and end of Time Trial and Mountain Bike events from the spectators stand.
The bike park is made up of two cycling tracks - mountain bike trail and BMX track.
The mountain bike trail that will be competed on during Singapore 2010 spans three kilometres with four rock garden downhill trails. The track is a test of true skills of the riders through their bike handling techniques and endurance.
Sixty percent of the trail consists of a single track, which provides greater challenge in overtaking the opponents.
The BMX track spans 355 metres with the purpose of testing swiftness and speed in completing the course. This dirt track consists of no less than 26 jumps and three banked corners.
The BMX track is designed and built by Tom Ritzenthaler from UCI and his team, who also constructed the BMX track for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games when this discipline made its debut. The same team will be building a cycling track for London 2012.
Some 800 residents, grassroots leaders and MPs from Tampines GRC, as well as Olympic mascots Lyo and Merly, attended the launch of the upgraded TBP on Sunday.
MP for Tampines GRC, Irene Ng, said: "Tampines residents can enjoy these world-class facilities at the Tampines Bike Park after the YOG is over, and it will be one of the lasting legacies of the Games to Tampines."
The Youth Olympic Games will take place from 14-26 August.
- CNA/ir
Stage for YOG show nearing completion
SINGAPORE : Organisers of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) have promised a stunning show at the YOG's opening ceremony on August 14.
They want to blaze a new trail with 7,000 performers staging a fiery ensemble of theatre, music, song and dance at Marina Bay.
The two-hour show has seven parts - one of them interestingly
titled 'Monster'.
Ivan Heng, Creative Director, Opening/Closing Ceremonies, Youth Olympic
Games 2010, said: "All of us, inside us, have a monster. And that
monster is fear. That monster stops us from achieving our full
potential.
"So what do we do? We face the fear and we do it anyway. And I think
that tells the story of every youth athlete."
The stage has taken four months to build and is expected to be completed
by the end of this month.
The backdrop is the city skyline, and lights from the performance will
'dance' on the nearby skyscrapers. All the elements are set to create a
unique space.
Randy Chan, Architectural Stage Designer, Youth Olympic Games 2010,
said: "We wanted some intimacy, which is why you can see that the main
stage is right in front of the gallery.
"In fact, it's three layers - you can see that the main stage will host
most of the show, and the back where the performers are going to be at
the lake itself will be the second tier."
With the mammoth task ahead, one challenge is the sharing of resources
with the National Day Parade.
Vernon Teo, Show Producer, Opening/Closing Ceremonies, Youth Olympic
Games 2010, said: "We are five days apart - 9th August, we celebrate our
45th birthday; 14th August, we celebrate the birth of a new Olympic
movement by a very young country. I look at it as double happiness!"
So in 74 days, Marina Bay will be lit with special effects,
pyrotechnics, even flames - for an opening show that befits a global
first.
- CNA/al
22 more YOG athletes chosen
ANOTHER 22 names have been added to the list of sportsboys and girls who will represent Singapore at the upcoming Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
This brings the tally of individual-sport athletes to 65, with only five more slots available for the Aug 14-26 Games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has turned down Singapore's request for 14 more slots to be added to the cap of 70.
Sleepless nights have been eased for weightlifter Jamie Wee following yesterday's announcement by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC).
Said the 17-year-old: 'I'm very happy but I still have to continue to work hard.'
Also making the grade were athletes from diving, track and field, wrestling, badminton and rowing. This means Singapore will have participants in all but one of the 26 sports at the YOG. Only tennis is still without a representative.
-- ST
YOG: Flash mob in Orchard Road to promote song for Sing!Singapore
SINGAPORE : The energy of youths swept through parts of the shopping belt in Ochard Road Saturday, as a flash mob danced to "One Heart, One Beat".
The song was one of the ten finalists of this year's
Sing!Singapore competition to celebrate the Youth Olympic Games.
The flash mob pitched in to launch a CD which has ten specially-written
songs that made it to the finals of Sing!Singapore.
- CNA/jy
YOG organisers set up operations at Games Village
SINGAPORE : Organisers of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) have moved into the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) campus to set up operations for the Games, which take place on August 14-26.
Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Vivian
Balakrishnan, toured the Village on Monday to see how preparations are
coming along.
The minister got a first-hand look at the rooms which athletes will use
during the Games. Ten hostel blocks out of 16 at NTU will house more
than 5,000 athletes and officials at the Village.
A temporary kitchen, which will serve 20,000 meals daily, has been set
up. Security has also been improved and a World Culture Village will
allow athletes to interact and learn more about each other.
Dr Balakrishnan said: "In most places, if you go to a village at this
stage, two months before, you will see a construction site, whereas here
we already have an established site which we are now renovating."
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Community
Development, Youth and Sports, Teo Ser Luck, has been appointed the
Mayor of the Village. He will be assisted by veteran athletes C Kunalan
and Joscelin Yeo.
Mr Teo said: "One of us will residence inside the Games Village. We will
have to look at the different situation and scenarios. We will decide
later. I think it is important because at any point of time when there
is a need for our attention, the team can call upon us to help them."
In late-July, there will be validation exercises to ensure everything is
in order.
The Games Village will be officially opened on August 10. When fully
operational, the Village will have a workforce of more than 2,000, half
of whom will be volunteers.
- CNA/al
Please clean up those garbage on AYE / PIE around Jurong and Clementi area.
Last 5 validation exercises for YOG organisers to fine tune operations
SINGAPORE: With the Youth Olympic Games approaching, validation exercises are taking place to get the country ready for the inaugural international event in August.
Preparations to get YOG venues ready for August are moving along.
Marina Reservoir was the venue to host YOG's validation exercise for
rowing.
Mike Tanner, event delegate, Rowing International Federation, said:
"There are obviously many finishing touches to do. But after speaking to
people here and seeing what’s on the ground, we are very confident that
everything will be well-prepared."
By 20 June, the remaining validation exercises for gymnastics, tennis,
canoe-kayak and archery will end giving the Singapore Youth Olympic
Games Organising Committee a chance to fine-tune its plans for August.
Celebrating the upcoming Youth Olympic Games in Singapore got into the
heads of some at *SCAPE on Saturday.
They had fun with this mini soccer game.
It is one of the many mini Olympic Games in "Get Energized for Singapore
2010". - CNA/vm
YOG: Youth Olympic lane to facilitate travel for athletes, officials
SINGAPORE: A Youth Olympic lane will be introduced along selected roads to facilitate travel for athletes and officials during the Youth Olympic Games.
The traffic scheme which will be in place from August 5 to 26 is
designed to help them reach their competition venue on time.
It's based on a give-way concept.
Motorists only need to give way when they see special Youth Olympic
vehicles approaching.
This is similar to what they would do when they see an emergency service
vehicle.
The second left-most lane along seven expressways and 15 main roads will
be designated as the Youth Olympic lane.
These lanes will be clearly marked with the Olympic rings and the words
give way in white.
During games time a fleet of 700 youth Olympic vehicles will operate
between the youth Olympic village and the competition venue.
From 12 July to 4 august youth Olympic vehicles will use designated
route to simulate actual journeys as part of preparation for the games.
During games time a fleet of 700 youth Olympic vehicles will operate
between the Youth Olympic village and the competition venue.
From July 12 to August 4, Youth Olympic vehicles will use designated
route to simulate actual journeys as part of preparation for the games. -
CNA/jy
YOG social networking site 'WhyOhGee' launched
SINGAPORE: A social networking platform for youths around the world to celebrate the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games was launched Tuesday.
The WhyOhGee Community (www.singapore2010.sg/community)
complements the WhyOhGee microsite (www.singapore2010.sg/whyohgee) that
features multimedia content produced by young people for young people,
and connects youths globally through the digital media.
The beta site was introduced eight months ago and currently has more
than 10,000 registered users.
If you do not speak the same language as the other users in your group,
the chat function on WhyOhGee Community translates their messages for
you.
Visitors on the WhyOhGee microsite can also discuss the content featured
on the WhyOhGee Community forums, as well as start discussions on
topics of their own.
There will be a section soon to feature athletes who have signed up for
profiles on the WhyOhGee Community.
This will allow users to follow what these YOG hopefuls are doing
through their updates and allow them to send them personal messages of
support. - CNA/jy
S'pore will be represented in all 26 sports at upcoming YOG
SINGAPORE: Singapore will be represented in all 26 sports at the upcoming Youth Olympic Games.
The selectors said the remaining five slots have been awarded and
the republic will field a 130-strong contingent.
It's a sponsorship deal to promote up-and-coming athletes.
Sailing, swimming and football have been identified and among the
activities planned, visits by athletes to schools to meet students under
the "SingTel Inspires" Programme.
There's also a 'Longest Wave" contest.
Natasha Michiko Yokoyama, sailor, Team Singapore, Youth Olympic Games
2010, said: "One big thing SingTel is helping us to do is the wave of
support whereby students from other schools will be filming themselves
doing waves and I think that is one very big initiative to do for us
because it's good to know everyone is behind in supporting us."
As mutli-media sponsor of the games, SingTel will also offer
applications for language translations and 3D animation maps of venues
and Singapore.
Still on the YOG, Singapore has used the full allotment of 70 individual
and 60 team slots set aside for the host nation.
Even tennis made the mark after an appeal.
The other final slots are taken up by athletics, rowing, canoeing and
sailing. - CNA/vm
Preparations for YOG Opening Ceremony get into high gear
SINGAPORE : "The Best Show on Earth in 2010" - that's how organisers are describing the Opening Ceremony for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
And to deliver on that, more than 20 choreographers and 7,000
youth performers are hard at work to transform the stage into a
spectacle for billions around the world come August 14.
800 students gathered at Mandai Hill Camp on Friday morning to rehearse
their performances for the YOG's Opening Ceremony.
Their spirits were not dampened when the heavy rain led to rehearsals
being moved indoors.
Education Minister Ng Eng Hen was also there to give them an added
boost.
"I'm very confident they will put up a spectacular show and the setting
couldn't be better - with new Marina Bay Sands up. I think we are on
track to wow the world but we have to work very hard to achieve that,"
said Dr Ng.
Hard work aside, the clock is also ticking away, as there are only 50
days to go.
But the students are not letting that get in their way, practicing even
late into the night.
"The instructors have been really, really helpful, and really patient
with us," said student Joseph Sim.
"Our parents are aware of this and our teachers are also making plans
for us. They have already come forward with extra lessons if we have
missed any," said student Soniya d/o Selvaraju.
Unlike the National Day Parade, the YOG Opening Ceremony will involve
more students - 4,000 from 47 schools, and supported by 200 teachers.
Despite the large numbers, quality is not compromised.
The 7,000 performers are involved in both the Opening Ceremony on August
14 and Closing Ceremony on August 26.
Organisers said a few previews, including camera rehearsals, will be
conducted closer to the date of the Opening Ceremony.
Singapore has been experiencing heavy downpours recently, but YOG
organisers assured there are wet weather plans for the Opening Ceremony.
Olympic protocol will be followed and alternatives include a separate
site where part of the ceremony will be conducted. - CNA /ls
YOG Commemorative coins
http://www.938live.sg/News/Singapore/EDC100629-0000200/YOG_Commemorative_coins
34 new torchbearers chosen for YOG torch relay in S'pore
SINGAPORE : 34 new torchbearers were chosen on Thursday for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games torch relay in Singapore.
The latest group comprises volunteers and employees of various
Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs). They will join the first pair of
torchbearers who were selected when the torch was unveiled to the media
in March.
In all, 2,400 torchbearers will make the final list.
The young people from diverse backgrounds now have a common aim - to do
their organisations and country proud as torchbearers of the first Youth
Olympic Games.
Worldwide Olympic Partner Coca-Cola will also distribute cheering kits
and lead spectators in cheering the torchbearers on. The beverage giant
also displayed torches from past Olympics at the ceremony.
The Olympic flame will arrive in Singapore on August 5, and make its
first public appearance the next day at the National University of
Singapore.
The islandwide torch relay starts on August 7 and continue till 13
August 13, stopping at 20 schools along the way.
Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development,
Youth and Sports, said: "Our national leaders will be involved in many
ways and in different ways, but for the torch relay we hope that more
placings and more slots will be given to our citizens, our Singaporeans
and to our community."
50,000 specially designed car decals with the message "We Support
Singapore 2010" were also released. 15,000 of them will be displayed on
Singapore's largest fleet of taxis operated by ComfortDelgro.
CityCare, a not-for-profit organisation, is also behind the drive to
raise awareness for the Games.
Separately, Usain Bolt - the world's fastest man - was named a Games
Ambassador on Thursday.
The Jamaican is the latest to join a stellar cast of YOG ambassadors,
including Olympic swim sensation Michael Phelps of America and Russia's
Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva.
- CNA/al
Sprinter Usain Bolt appointed YOG ambassador
SINGAPORE : The world's fastest man is set to lend star power to the upcoming inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore from Aug 14-26.
Usain Bolt, who won the men's 100m, 200m and 4x100m gold medals at
the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, was named a YOG ambassador on Thursday.
The Jamaican flash is the latest to join a stellar cast of YOG
ambassadors, among whom are American swim sensation and winner of 14
Olympic gold medals Michael Phelps, and Russia's two-time women's
Olympic pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva.
As Games ambassadors, their main task is to help promote the YOG,
including the 2014 edition in Nanjing, China.
The 1.95m tall Bolt appreciates the importance of his new role.
"I know how important it is to have mentors and role models when you are
young to help give you focus and dreams to aspire to," said Bolt in a
statement released by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
"I couldn't be happier to be an ambassador for the first Youth Olympic
Games and to provide inspiration and encouragement to the young athletes
participating in Singapore this summer, and to kids everywhere," he
said.
Bolt, who set a trio of world records en route to victories at the
Beijing Olympics, has gone on to re-write the 100m and 200m marks since,
clocking 9.58sec and 19.19sec at the World Championships in Berlin last
year.
The record for the 4x100m registered in the Chinese capital two years
ago, stands at 37.10sec.
The YOG here will feature over 200 events across 26 sports, and see
about 3,600 athletes aged 14 to 18 from 205 National Olympic Committees
participating.
IOC president Jacques Rogge said the appointment of Bolt will be a boost
for aspiring young athletes all over the world.
"We are very pleased that Usain will now join Michael and Yelena as
Youth Olympic Games Ambassadors," said Rogge.
"These athletes are at the very top of their respective sports and they
know the importance of having inspirational figures in their lives.
Children around the world look up to Usain and it is wonderful that he
has decided to motivate young people to become more active by joining
the Youth Olympic Games team."
Last month, the IOC also unveiled a list of 46 present and former
athletes, including former Russian swim star Alexander Popov, Moroccan
middle-distance world champion runner Hicham El-Guerrouj and Chinese
diver Guo Jingjing, as the Games' athlete role models.
However, their roles are different from the Games' ambassadors, and are
nominated by the respective international sports federations.
These former greats will be here to give talks and share their
experiences with the competing athletes. - CNA /ls
YOG surpasses budget
THE budget for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) has surpassed original estimates of US$75 million ($104 million) by more than three times.
The projected government spending for the 13-day Games in August will now be approximately $387 million.
This was revealed today by Mr Niam Chiang Meng, the Permanent Secretary for Community Development in a briefing at MCYS headquarters at Thomson Road regarding the Aug 14-26 Games.
He stressed however, that the benefits will still continue to outweigh the increased cost. Besides $260 million (or 70 per cent of the budget) worth of contracts that has been awarded to local companies, the YOG is also expected to attract about 40,000 foreign visitors, generating a $57 million boom in tourism receipts.
Also, the IOC has estimated that the YOG will be watched by a global audience of 1.5 billion, with the total international media value in excess of $86 million.
-- ST
More YOG competition tickets available for sale
SINGAPORE : More tickets to the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) competitions are now available for sale to the public.
Previously, the tickets to Diving, Fencing, Handball and Swimming were unavailable, said the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC).
It said there were also strong demand in fast selling sports such as Athletics, Gymnastics, Basketball, Equestrian, Modern Pentathlon, Shooting and Taekwondo.
The SYOGOC had initially set aside a proportion of the tickets for specialty client groups such as the International Olympic Committee, National Olympic Committees and International Federations.
It said there is a balance of tickets which are now available after final tabulation of orders from the specialty client groups.
The competition tickets are priced at S$10 for the Preliminary matches, S$15 for Quarter Finals/Semi Finals and S$30 for Finals.
Each ticket purchased is accompanied by a Singapore 2010 DBS Visa Prepaid Companion Card.
Tickets can be purchased at the YOG website.
- CNA/al
Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame will help with global promotion of YOG
SINGAPORE: The hype to the inaugural Youth Olympic Games is getting bigger and one event that will put a global spotlight on the games is the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame.
Come July 23, Olympic history will be made when the flame for the first Youth Olympic Games is lit in Ancient Olympia, Greece.
The Singapore flag will be flying high at the sacred grounds as swimmer Amanda Lim and hockey player Silas Abdul Razak will bring out the flame from the temple.
The flame will travel to five cities as part of the journey with celebrations at each stop showcasing Singapore culture.
The five cities are Berlin, Dakar in Senegal, Mexico City, Auckland and Seoul.
Olympic partner Samsung is also chipping in to promote the Games.
Its initiatives include naming singer JJ Lin as the Youth Ambassador for the games and getting youngsters to file live reports on the event.
Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, said: "There is going to be extensive publicity. The lighting ceremony itself will be broadcast live from Greece into Europe and I think negotiations are going on now and we hope it will also be telecast LIVE in Singapore.
“Apart from watching it on TV, ultimately I want Singaporeans to participate and celebrate as the flame passes through our own neighbourhoods." - CNA/vm