View Full Version : YOG 2010 (Youth Olympic Games, Singapore) News
The Montreal Gazette
October 20, 2009 6:34 PM
By J.D. Gravenor
You can’t tell just by looking at her, but Grade 11 student Dorothy Yeats is living a double life.
Five days a week, this 16-year-old attends classes at a high school in Montreal West. But on the side, she is also an elite wrestler with Olympic dreams and more than her share of medals. And she added another one to her collection this past summer at the Canada Games, held in Prince Edward Island.
“I won a gold medal,” said the student at Royal West Academy.
But wait, there’s more!
Yeats also finished first in her category at the Canada Cup, held in Guelph, Ont., in July; and she also took home a freestyle wrestling gold at the Victory Cup international tournament in Izmir, Turkey, this past June.
Sure, there are lots of athletes going to school in Quebec, but Yeats is among an elite group that manage to juggle intense sports training, travel, social life and academics. Nobody said it was easy to be one of the country’s best young athletes. But Yeats has lots in common with other elite athletes: an ability to work hard, persevere and maintain focus.
“The fact that these students are able to manage both academics and sports is quite impressive,” said Irini Margetis, vice-principal at Royal West Academy. “This is a school that demands a lot from its students. It shows that they are very disciplined.”
Here’s what a typical week looks like to Yeats, whose father was a five-time Olympic wrestler. Every day except Saturday (her day off) she trains not once, but twice. Before school, she will be swimming laps, cycling, running, biking or shooting hoops. After school, it’s back to the gym, where she lifts weights and practices her wrestling moves.
It’s definitely not a lifestyle meant for everyone, and she doesn’t recommend it for all.
“It’s not for someone who thinks their social life is more important,” she said. “I don’t have a lot of extra time to go to parties and hang out with friends. I have to do my homework.”
But then again, she has met a lot of people through her sport.
“A lot of my friends are from wrestling,” she said. “And I met a lot of friends at the Canada Games.”
So what’s on the horizon for this budding wrestler?
“Next summer is the Junior Olympics in Singapore,” she said. “That’s what I’m aiming to do.”
Grade 10 student Alexia Zednik is a swimmer with the Pointe Claire Swim Club.
“Sometimes, I train in the morning before school. So I have to wake up at quarter to five and train for an hour and a half,” said the 15-year-old.
“And after school, I take the train back out (to the Pointe Claire Swim Club) and train another two-and-a-half hours. Then, I go home and do my homework.”
Sometimes, she’s almost too tired to do her homework.
“But you just have to get it done,” she said, adding that she has to do it promptly, or her assignments will cut into precious sleep time needed for her morning workouts.
She’s used to her lifestyle.
“It’s for people who really want it,” she said. “It’s for athletes who want to reach the top.”
And she’s well on her way. Zednik has won eight gold medals in provincial championships, and she took first place in two events at the Eastern Conference Championships last year.
“And there are a few other models,” she said.
Her future dreams include the possibility of a trip to represent Canada at the Olympic Games.
“I really hope to go to the Olympics in three years (London 2012), or the ones after those,” she said.
Fifteen-year-old Johanne Pollock has taken her love of soccer to the world stage, as part of the Canadian Junior Girls’ Soccer Team at the World Maccabiah Games in Israel this past July. And the team did pretty well, indeed.
“We won gold,” said the Grade 10 student who usually plays midfield, but was deployed as a striker during the tournament.
In terms of adventures, she ranks the international games victory as No. 1. They made friends with other students, and were taken on cultural tours of Israel. But it took a lot of hard work to get in shape for the event beforehand.
“My coach gave me a 25-page workout schedule. It took about two hours. It was a lot of work,” she said. “I also try to eat healthy no matter what. And I work out a lot. I run, almost every morning during the summer.”
It takes a lot of sacrifice and determination to achieve, but Pollock recommends the lifestyle.
“If you’re doing something you love, just go for it,” she said. “You have to be determined. When you work hard it definitely pays off.”
It was Pollock’s grade-school coach who recommended that she try out for the Canadian national team.
“I saw the talent in her,” said Norman Katz, physical-education co-ordinator at Royal Vale Elementary School. “It’s something that I felt she could do because of her talent and dedication. I thought she deserved the chance to try out for the team, and everything turned out to be a Cinderella story after that.”
What sets these athletes apart from other students?
Katz lists a few qualities, including having a strong work ethic, an ability to be resilient, focused and not make excuses.
“I can see it early in their lives,” he said. “If they’re focused, if they have this drive, you can see it in their eyes. They want something and they’ll do what it takes to get it.”
Fourteen-year-old Cynthia Chen plays badminton in tournaments all over the country.
“It’s the fastest sport in the world,” said the Grade 9 student. “It requires a lot of fitness and cardio. You need to have good strategy and concentration.”
Chen finished the 2008-2009 badminton season ranked No. 1 in the under-14 singles and doubles categories. She described her workout routine.
“I only train three times a week, but it’s pretty intense,” said Chen, a member of the Club Elite de Badminton Laval.
On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, she works out from 6:30-8:45 a.m. On Saturday, she trains from 9 a.m. to noon.
“It’s just for some people,” she said. “It depends on your personality and interests. Some people prefer going out with friends to go to a training centre. But I would sacrifice my social life for my sport.”
Meanwhile, she thinks badminton, which is particularly strong in Asian countries, is an underrated sport.
“I love it,” she said. “The stereotype of badminton is it’s for the backyard. But if you actually play, I think it’s a great sport.”
But that doesn’t mean that she plans to put her sport ahead of her education.
“Badminton is an Olympic sport, but I’m not sure I would want to go to that level. I would rather focus on my studies and school,” she said.
Royal West Academy students Johanna Pollock (left to right), Alexia Zevnik, Dorothy Yeats and Cynthia Chen say their training schedule is not for everyone. Photograph by: John Kenney, The Gazette
neohenry
10-20-2009, 10:59 PM
Thank you for this post. And you saved the best (badminton) for last. :)
Thank you for this post. And you saved the best (badminton) for last. :)
I knew you'd like it! :D
Scanner
10-22-2009, 01:04 AM
haha i love it mr loh
I knew you'd like it! :D
Badminton Europe
30 November 2009
Today it has been confirmed that the Danish city of Svendborg will be hosting the European Qualification tournament for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
The qualification event will take place from 19-21 March 2010.
The top 5 ranked players in men's and women's singles will qualify for the first ever Youth Olympic Games which will take place in Singapore in August 2010.
Svendborg will be the place where the European qualifiers for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games will be found. The event which is used to determine the top 5 players in men's singles and women's singles will be played over three days, from 19-21 March.
As each NOC can only qualify one player for the Youth Olympic Games, the entries for the qualification event has also been limited so that no Member Association/NOC can enter more than one player per event.
An official invitation will be sent to all of Badminton Europe's Member Associations no later than 3 months before the event is due to begin.
The seeding and the draw will be made on Tuesday 16 March 2010. The seeding will be made according to the European Junior Ranking. The results from the 2010 German Junior will be the last results taken into consideration for the European Junior Ranking.
YOG Official Website
21 Nov 2009
http://www.singapore2010.sg/public/sg2010/en.html
With just 266 days to go before Singapore hosts the world's first Youth Olympic Games (YOG), Lyo (pronounced as Leo) and Merly are ready to blaze the trail. The official mascots for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (Singapore 2010) were unveiled by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports today.
As mascots for Singapore 2010, Lyo, a lion cub, embodies the values of Excellence and Friendship, while Merly, a merlion, personifies the values of Excellence and Respect. Through their acts and stories, they will promote the Olympic Values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.
Welcoming Lyo and Merly to the Singapore 2010 family, Mr Goh Kee Nguan, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee, said, "As mascots for Singapore 2010, Lyo and Merly have to appeal to the international community and the youth. At the same time, they must also possess a strong Singapore's identity. As the host city for the inaugural YOG, we hope to share our culture with friends around the world. What better way to do it than to have Lyo and Merly represent us and the youth, and be the faces of the first YOG."
From 14 August to 6 September 2009, members of the public were also invited to name the mascots. About 375 entries were received from more than 20 countries. Lyo was named by Sean PANG Yi Wei, while TUNG Chi Jun picked the name for Merly. Sean and Chi Jun, both Singaporeans, had the opportunity to be amongst the first to meet Lyo and Merly in person today. They were also presented with a pair of mascot plush toys and Singapore 2010 merchandise for naming the mascots.
Lyo is short for "Lion of the Youth Olympics". A sports lover, he is fun-loving and hopes to inspire young people to keep fit and enjoy sports for life. He symbolises youths' boundless energy, their determination to live life to the fullest and zeal to strive for Excellence.
Merly got her name from "mer" (meaning the sea in French) and "l y" stand for liveliness and youthfulness. A passionate advocate of environment protection, Merly believes that everyone has a role to play in working towards a sustainable future. She also wants to encourage young people to play an active role in their communities and promote respect for one another.
Lyo and Merly will be appearing at many Singapore 2010 events in the coming months to help create buzz and excitement for the Games. Lyo and Merly plush toys and other Singapore 2010 merchandise were also available for purchase for the first time at today's event. The first Singapore 2010 Official Olympic Store will open on 22 November 2009 at Takashimaya Square Basement 2.
Missing pictures:
1. Signature Pose
2. From left: Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Community Development (MCYS), Youth and Sports; Lyo, Singapore 2010 Mascot; Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for CYS & son; Ng Ser Miang, Chairman of SYOGOC; Merly, Singapore 2010 Mascot; and Niam Chiang Meng, Permanent Secretary, MCYS
Jan 25, 2010
By Wendy Lim
YOUTHS and children can share their passion for and knowledge of sports through a series of Sports@Public Libraries events and activities that have been lined up to celebrate the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympics.
Through the activities, the National Library Board hopes to inspire the spirit of sportsmanship and encourage people to embrace the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.
Youths can share their favourite sports-related books through videos, podcasts and blog posts.
The public can also nominate someone who has demonstrated the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect through his or her daily activities or submit photographs which showcase those values.
The public libraries will also be putting up displays on the history and interesting information about the 26 sports that will be competed at the Singapore 2010.
More information on the series of Sports@Public Libraries activities can be found at the Public Libraries website (www.pl.sg).
Channel NewsAsia
24 January 2010 2324 hrs
By Ian De Cotta,
SINGAPORE : Organisers of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on Sunday revealed details of a sports scholarship programme for the world's young athletes.
The six scholarships are for study and training at the Singapore Sports School.
They will be awarded at every YOG to a deserving young athlete, aged between 13 and 15, from Singapore and each of the five continents.
The first batch of six scholarships will be awarded during the first YOG, which will be held from August 14-26.
They are fully funded by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, and targeted at seven Olympic sports - aquatics, athletics, badminton, football, golf, sailing and table tennis.
Ng Ser Miang, chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee and vice-president of the International Olympic Committee, said the first batch of successful applicants is scheduled to begin their four-year term at the Sports School in January next year.
He said it will include another two years of the school's International Baccalaureate programme for those who can go further.
Mr Ng was speaking to journalists at the Singapore Cadet Fencing World Cup 2010, which is part of the on-going Friendship Games, at the Suntec International Convention Centre.
"This is going to be one of the legacies of the games in Singapore," said Mr Ng. "The YOG is about sports, culture and education, and it is something Singapore believes in.
"So the scholarships will continue to link Singapore to the Olympic movement and the youth of the world by bringing them here to learn, train and to take part in sports."
The scholarships will cover the athletes' school fees, accommodation, training and airfare to their home countries after the first two years.
Applications, which are not restricted to YOG athletes, opened on Sunday and will close on April 16.
Jakarta Globe
January 24, 2010
By Ami Afriatni
For some of Indonesia’s top young shuttlers, the road to Singapore goes through Mexico.
Twelve of the country’s best singles players under the age of 18 will compete in the World Junior Championships in Guadalajara, Mexico, on April 18-25 with an eye toward the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore from Aug. 14-26.
“We want to meet the maximum quota allowed at the championships, six boys and six girls. We’ve asked our talent spotter to recruit others from outside the camp,” said Lius Pongoh, head of athletes’ development at the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI).
The top seven in each event in Guadalajara will advance to Singapore.
Three of the group are already at the national training camp in Cipayung, East Jakarta. National players Evert Sukamta and Hermansah will compete with four others, while Rena Suwarno will be the only national player among six girls.
Before leaving for Mexico, the youngsters will try their luck at the Asian Continental Qualification tournament in Kuala Lumpur from March 21-28. The top five in each event advance to the Youth Olympics.
Earning a place will be difficult, Lius said. At the 2009 Asian Youth Under-19 Championship, Evert lost in the opener while Hermansah bowed out in the semis.
Indonesia’s only title came from boys’ doubles, when Yohanes Rendy Sugiarto and Angga Pratama beat top-seeded Kheng Yew Hong and Han Ou Yao of Malaysia.
“I have to admit our shuttlers in singles are not that good compared to doubles, but the chance is still there. I hope they can give their best,” Lius said.
Indonesia also hopes to qualify athletes in 12 other sports for the Youth Olympics. The Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI), along with the government, will provide the budget for federations to prepare their best athletes, said Ade Lukman, the head of the KOI cultural and Olympic education commission.
My Paper
27/01/2010
Journalist: CHIA HAN KEONG
COME July, Singapore will be joined by five cities in celebrating the journey of the Youth Olympic Flame from Greece to the Republic for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) from Aug 14-26.
The five cities Germany's Berlin, Senegal's Dakar, Mexico's Mexico City, New Zealand's Auckland and South Korea's Seoul will each represent one of the five continents: Europe, Africa, the Americas, Oceania and Asia, respectively.
They will host celebratory events when the Flame, scheduled to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece on July 22, makes a stop in each city.
Each selected city will host youth representatives chosen by National Olympic Committees across its respective continent. They will participate in a torch-passing ceremony at the city's celebrations.
During its stay in each of the five cities, the Flame will also journey to significant landmarks so that as many people as possible can welcome the Flame to the continent.
It is scheduled to arrive in Singapore on Aug 5. The Flame will then go on a six-day, round-island torch relay before it is used to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the YOG.
Yesterday's announcement, made with 200 days left to the Games, was endorsed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), even though it has discontinued torch relays outside Games host nations after the 2008 Beijing Olympics relay was marred by protests and demonstrations.
Said Mr Ng Ser Miang, chairman of the Singapore YOG Organising Committee: "Since this is the inaugural edition of the Games, there is a need to promote it globally
Channel NewsAsia
05 February 2010 1812 hrs
By Patwant Singh,
SINGAPORE: The IT infrastructure and design for the world's first Youth Olympic Games has been completed and is now going through a testing phase.
The infrastructure such as scoring and results, games management and accreditation is critical to the smooth running of the Games.
Two floors at the YOG Headquarters have been dedicated to the IT labs where the system is being put through its paces.
Global company Atos Origin is behind the system, having worked at past Olympics, including the Beijing Games. Still the Singapore project proved challenging.
Herbert Leung, CEO, Atos Origin (Asia), said: "Youth Olympics is close to Olympics, but it is not the same as well. Some of the criteria is already different from main Olympic Games. We have to work together a lot with SYOGOC to define and how we are going to optimise it."
Optimisation was critical, given the short turnaround time to design and test the system.
On a brighter note, there will also be transfer of expertise to Singapore, with the Infocomm Development Authority actively involved in the project.
Lim Bee Kwan, director, Technology Division, Singapore YOG Organising Committee, said: "For the local IT industry and the local development in terms of our support of the Games, obviously a lot of the professionals that have actually gone through the process will have the expertise to handle large events."
And being a Youth-focused event, there will be extensive use of new media applications.
Some 2,000 computers, 170 servers, 500 networks and about 1,000 personnel will run the system during the Games. The system will be deployed at the 18 competition venues, the Culture and Education Programme sites and Main Media Centre, among others.
Because there is no margin for error, the organisers have put in a few back-up systems, including conducting 30,000 hours of testing here in the lab. And the testing would continue even when the system is operational in May so that come Games Day, everything functions without a glitch.
Channel NewsAsia
28 February 2010 0003 hrs
SINGAPORE: The clocks in the heartlands are ticking down to the Youth Olympic Games in August.
Launched by Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, it is the first countdown clock for the North West District.
That is not all the district is doing to celebrate the games.
The North West Brisk Walking Club aims to cover 250,000 kilometres from now until August.
Over at the Marina Barrage, about 170 youths from local and international schools came together to create 169 kites - which is the number of days to the Games.
Each kite carries the wishes of youths for the Youth Olympics.
Countdown clock to the Youth Olympic Games
Channel NewsAsia
06 March 2010 2140 hrs
By Lynda Hong,
SINGAPORE : There has been much talk about the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore in August.
And organisers are giving a sneak three-dimensional preview on the online platform.
Singapore 2010 Odyssey is a virtual world presenting a simulation of the YOG.
There are quests and games styled on a futuristic theme.
Users will have to download an application on their desktop, after which they will be all set to meet users from all over the world.
They can create their own avatars, compete in games, and learn more about the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.
Jakarta Globe
March 08, 2010
As the seniors gear up for some of the world’s top tournaments, Indonesia’s youngsters face two qualifying tournaments to earn tickets to the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, which take place in Singapore on Aug. 14-26.
The first tournament is the Asian Youth Under-19 Championship in Kuala Lumpur on March 21-28, followed by the World Youth Championship in Guadalajara, Mexico, on April 16-25.
Asia has five berths in both boys and girls singles, the only badminton events in the Youth Olympics. The top seven boys and girls at the World Youth Championship also qualify for Singapore.
The Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) has called up four boys and four girls shuttlers for the tournament in Kuala Lumpur.
Junior national team members Evert Sukamta and Hermansah will join Riyanto Subagja and Shesar Hiren Rhustavito, both from Djarum Kudus Club, in boys singles.
Rena Suwarno, Elisabeth Purwaningtyas, Yulia Yosephine Susanto and Ganis Nur Ramadhani will compete in girls singles.
“We have yet to decide who will be sent to Mexico, but those eight have a great chance if they play well and show improvement in Kuala Lumpur,” Fung Permadi, head of the PBSI talent scouting department, said on Monday.
The PBSI will also send doubles shuttlers to Malaysia and Mexico. Ericsson Rusdianto and Nur Wahid, Jones Ralfy Jansen and Dandi Prabudita, and Ricky Karanda and Wahyu Nayaka will compete in boys doubles. Della Destiara Haris and Suci Rizki Andini, Tiara Rosalia Nuraidah and Gebby Ristyani Imawan, and Ery Oktaviani and Dian Fitriani will make up the girls’ teams.
passiontea
03-09-2010, 04:27 AM
woah, YOG going to be a blast for badminton. Looks like singapore players need to buck up to stay in the fight.
The Straits Times
Mar 12, 2010
By Terrence Voon
THE search is on for 2,400 Singaporeans to be torchbearers for the flame of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games.
From now till April 15, citizens and permanent residents aged 12 and above can apply for the honour at www.milliondeeds.sg.
About 560 torchbearers will be selected through a ballot, while the rest will be picked from schools and other organisations.
The YOG, to be held here from Aug 14 to 26, will see a torch relay that will travel through Singapore's five community districts.
The final torchbearer will light the cauldron at the opening ceremony on Aug 14.The YOG, to be held here from Aug 14 to 26, will see a torch relay that will travel through Singapore's five community districts. -- PHOTO: BUSINESS TIMES
Channel NewsAsia
12 March 2010 2256 hrs
By Patwant Singh
SINGAPORE: It's purple, made of aluminium and will soon be a world-famous symbol of the spirit of sportsmanship.
And we're talking about the first Youth Olympic Games torch which made its maiden public appearance on Friday.
A simple ceremony at NorthLight Primary School to show the world the torch.
Doing the honours were Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan and the very first two torch bearers, who were students of NorthLight Primary School.
The torch weighs about one kilogramme and is made of aluminium. It combines the dual elements of fire and water.
Also revealed was the design for the community cauldron.
Lee Chuan Jie, 16, and Noradlina Abdul Hadi, 15, were thrilled to be part of the torch journey.
NorthLight Primary School was selected as the school is twinned with Greece, the ancient home of the Olympic Games.
Lee Chuan Jie said: "I was surprised because I am not good in sports or I have never won any medal in sports."
Some 150 of these torches will be made for about 2,400 torchbearers. A total of 560 of torchbearers will be selected by random ballot.
The public can apply online at the Million Deeds Challenge website www.milliondeeds.sg.
The idea is to get Singaporeans to be part of this historic event.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said: "You can be a torchbearer. Or you can rally your friends, families and neighbours to cheer the flame and your community torchbearers as the relay passes your home, school or workplace. Or you can volunteer to organise or join in the festivities at the various community celebration sites at the end of each relay day.
"As the excitement builds up to the YOG, it is timely to remind Singaporeans not to miss this opportunity to have a hand in shaping the YOG story. Singaporeans rejoiced as a nation when we won a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics. I do not know when we will win another Olympic medal, but I know we have already won a gold by hosting the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. And that is a record which no other country can ever take away from us."
The flame will be lit in Greece in July and travel to five cities in five continents. It will arrive in Singapore on the August 5.
This will be followed by a six-day round-the-island torch relay. The exact route and the distance each runner will cover will be announced later.
Design Inspiration
The Youth Olympic Flame (JYOF) torch takes its design inspiration from fire and water.
Fire represents the Youth's passion and burning desire to learn and excel, blazing the trail in life. Water represents Singapore, with its origins as a seaport; and the vibrant and dynamic nature of Singapore as an island city-state.
The torch was designed to combine the dual elements of fire and water, with the water wave on the torch body and a flaming fire on top.
Technical Specifications
The Torch is made of aluminum, with the handle coated with non-slip material.
Width: 5 to 8 cm
Height: 60cm
Weight: Approximately 1 kg
The Community Couldron
The Community Cauldron is a small cauldron designed and produced to hold the Youth Olympic Flame. The use of the Community Cauldron allows the Flame to be displayed at the Community Celebration sites in Singapore and each of the five other cities that the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame will pass through.
Technical Specifications:
Diameter (of bowl): 1.1m
Height: 1.1m
Weight: Approximately 135 kg
Safety Lantern
Safety lanterns are used to transport the Youth Olympic Flame when not carried by a torchbearer.
At the start of each relay day, the Youth Olympic Flame is taken from the safety lantern to light the torch. At the end of the day, the Flame from the torch is transferred to the safety lantern for safeguarding.
A number of safety lanterns are kept alight with the Youth Olympic Flame in case the Flame carried by the torch or other device go out unexpectedly (e.g. from high winds). In addition, the safety lanterns continue to hold the Flame during the duration of the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (Singapore 2010).
Technical Specifications:
Dimensions: 21.4cm x 18.3cm x 3.22cm
Weight: Approximately 2.88kg
Channel NewsAsia
16 March 2010 1825 hrs
By Sharon See
SINGAPORE : Youth performers at the annual Singapore Street Festival can look forward to showcasing their work at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games this August.
The Singapore Street Festival has been a platform for youth expression of creativity and the arts for the past nine years since it began in 2001.
And this year, the organisers have tied up with the Youth Olympic Games, lending the sporting event an element of culture and the arts - such as dance, music and even magic shows.
Street Festival performers will also get to showcase their work at the Youth Olympic Village.
Channel NewsAsia
March 2010 1805 hrs
By Dylan Loh
SINGAPORE : 150 days to go before the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), and the Singapore YOG Organising Committee has said all are on track.
Everyone wants to be in on the first Youth Olympic Games, including Volvo - which has signed on as the 'Official Automobile Sponsor'.
Artist Charlene Tenio wants to give the event colour too, with her mural of Games' mascots Lyo and Merly - at the countdown party at the Fairmont Singapore - the official hotel partner.
The International Olympic Committee's President, Dr Jacques Rogge, will also make a second official visit to Singapore next Monday, adding to the buzz.
Dr Rogge will visit the Bishan Stadium, where Athletics will be held. Other places on his list include the Marina Barrage and Nanyang Technological University where the Games' fringe activities will be organised.
He will see how the preparations for the Games are progressing.
Dr Rogge's four-day visit will include a meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
He will also address some 200 Chefs de Mission from participating countries who will gather in Singapore for a Games briefing seminar.
Singapore will be hosting the inaugural YOG from August 14.
Channel NewsAsia
18 March 2010 0906 hrs
(Please refere to post #1448 of link below:)
http://www.badmintonforum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=69880&page=86
By Favian Ng,
SINGAPORE: The virtual world has always been a fascination of unlimited opportunities and boundaries.
That's what the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) had in mind when they launched the world's first Virtual World based on an Olympic event – Singapore 2010 Odyssey.
Leveraging on the popular social networking bandwagon, this brainchild product of IDA and SYOGOC will provide a platform for youths around the world to stay connected in a fun and interactive way while learning more about the Olympic values.
Jointly developed by a consortium of Singapore companies - led by ST Electronics - with international partners, the concept of Singapore 2010 Odyssey is similar to Second Life, the popular 3D virtual world whereby users can create their own avatars and be part of a community.
Like Second Life, you can choose to walk or fly as your mode of transportation and some actions like Dance, Wave, Sit, Lie Down, Laugh are available by right clicking on the avatar. Similarly, basic avatar customisation is available.
But there's more to it than just creating an alter-ego in the virtual realm.
"The Singapore 2010 Odyssey is a unique virtual world platform offering many possibilities for learning, social networking and entertainment, as it reaches out to the youths from all over the world in a fun and interactive way," said RADM (NS) Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer of IDA.
Riding on the social networking trend
The main highlight of the Singapore 2010 Odyssey is the social networking element where users can communicate via public or private chat and Dr Francis Chong, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, SYOGOC, believes that this feature can help youths to learn more about the Olympic values of Respect, Friendship and Excellence.
"The fact that you are meeting people from different cultures is itself a learning experience. If you don't learn the value of respect, no one will talk to you," he said.
He added that the variety of online games, multimedia contents and social activities available in the virtual world will help to educate the youths in a more innovative approach.
Dr Chong explained: "The world [Singapore 2010 Odyssey] will help to raise interest in YOG [but] it is not meant to be a sports game like FIFA or World of Warcraft.
For example, there are places in the virtual world that are replicas [of the YOG venues]. When you go into the Youth Olympic Village, you will see information about Olympic values, Olympians being presented in a way that is not that boring," Dr Chong explained.
The developers have also rolled out a series of mini-games which allows users to compete against one other. The games are modeled after the 26 sports that are contested at the upcoming YOG. Currently, only five are featured (Archery, Swimming, Shooting, Hurdle and Basketball) while the others are scheduled to be added later.
The dangers behind the virtual world is a well-stated fact, but parents need not worry as IDA said the necessary measures are in place.
"We see the kids as our target audience. In Singapore 2010 Odyssey, we have set some moderation standards to make sure that for this target audience, the content is appropriate," said Mr Andrew Khaw, Senior Director of Industry Development Group.
Community involvement
Fancy building your own property? Singapore 2010 Odyssey allows you to do so from the comfort of your home after a couple hours of training.
Mr Khaw explained the authorities' decision to allow users to create their own contribution into the virtual world.
He said: "This is a virtual community that we want to build [and] the feature of the virtual world is [the] need to have some building blocks. [When] other people want to contribute, they can actually build some of these physical buildings inside the virtual world. It will be your real estate inside the virtual world.
"The idea is to create a community of people. Then maybe you can have some games, posters, flash contents, activities so all the usual things in the rich media can be build and you can invite your friends in there."
During the development stages, schools across Singapore were invited to play a significant role in developing the virtual landscape with training provided by ST Electronics.
Students Choo Ruisheng and Alvis Toh from Hai Sing Catholic School spoke enthusiastically about their involvement.
"We didn't really take that long. This user-generated content is really easy to use. It's user friendly. We only have a few hours of training, about 2 to 3 hours, and we built the school village," said Choo.
For Toh, the whole process was like getting a crash course in Greek history. "We did some basic research on Greek structures. As developers, we made the buildings resembled old Greek structure and for myself, I built this house on a mountain. It was based on the Greek myth about gods living in Mount Olympus.”
Their entire learning journey was best summed up by Mr Preston Tan, a teacher of Hai Sing Catholic Infocomm Club.
"One of the interesting takeaways is that in the history of Greeks, they have a lot of innovations because they were undergoing war. I came to realize that innovation is the key to push a society forward. This is also one key message that that we are pushing to the students," said Mr Tan.
Singapore 2010 Odyssey
Channel NewsAsia
20 March 2010 2120 hrs
By Hoe Yeen Nie
SINGAPORE : Preparations for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are moving quickly, but organisers said they are still short of 5,000 volunteers.
With just five months to go, they said what is really needed now is to get the buzz going on the ground.
Dare-devil stunts were the order of the day as over 40 teams battled for top place at the First National Cheerleading Championships on Saturday.
From April 22, the manic energy of these cheerleaders will be brought from the gym floor to streets of Singapore, to drum up support for the Youth Olympic Games.
During the YOG, the winning teams will lead the crowd in their cheers too, including three specially created for the event.
The first is written by pop singer J J Lin and was unveiled on Saturday. The other two will be unveiled over the coming months.
Back in 2008, Singapore's successful bid for the Games saw sponsors and volunteers getting into the act.
Now, with about five months left, organisers want to get the buzz going again.
Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Vivian Balakrishnan, said: "We need ideas, we need participation, we need energy. This is not something we can plan top-down. What I am doing is I am opening communication channels.
"If someone has an idea, email it to me, we will work with our staff and we will see how we can work these ideas into reality. There is a sense of urgency but it is not too late and I think we can do this."
Dr Balakrishnan added that the YOG is not just for the young, or for those active in sports.
He said: "All the effort we invested in this will be wasted if every Singaporean does not feel that this is a once-in-a-lifetime, that the Olympic flame is going to come to Singapore in such a close way, and (every Singaporean) is not touched by it or affected by the Olympic spirit in one way or the other."
The Games will run from August 14 to 26, and tickets will be sold from the end of the month.
The sporting competitions will be held at various stadiums in the housing estates.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 08:35:00 03/19/2010
THE PHILIPPINE National Swimming Team is gearing up for the Youth Olympic Games and they are starting off in style as two swimmers broke age-old Philippine records in their stint in the Singapore National Age Group Swimming Championships yesterday.
16-year old Jessie Lacuna, whose star is quickly rising in the country's swim scene, made waves once again as he shattered the RP record of Olympian and SEA Games gold medalist Miguel Molina in the 200m freestyle event.
Lacuna, who is training under Carlos Brosas at the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA) Center for Excellence in Los Banos, Laguna, swam a time of 1:50.90 in the event, breaking Molina's time of 1:51.75.
The feat by Lacuna surpassed the YOG “A” qualifying time standard set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
However, one record was not enough today as Jasmine Alkhaldi reset the two-decade record of Akiko Thomson in the 15-17 age group of the 200m freestyle event. Alkhaldi finished with a time of 2:04.98, which broke the 2:07.23 record of Thomson.
The 2010 YOG will be held in Singapore later this year.
Channel NewsAsia
21 March 2010 2328 hrs
By Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid
SINGAPORE: The inaugural Youth Olympic Games will begin in less than five months, and residents in the North East District have started counting down to the Games.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean launched the countdown clock to the games on Sunday morning.
Situated in front of Sengkang Polyclinic, the countdown clock is also the last one to be launched in the heartlands.
Over 1,000 North East residents had picked the location for the clock
The Countdown Clock at ION Orchard will help keep Singaporeans in the loop. - TODAY
Channel NewsAsia
23 March 2010 2159 hrs
By Patwant Singh
SINGAPORE: International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge is confident Singapore will deliver a great Youth Olympic Games come August.
The IOC chief is in the island-state for a three-day visit to check on the Games progress, which he said has been immense.
The IOC chief has a packed schedule in Singapore.
After arriving on Monday, Mr Rogge visited the Bishan Stadium, venue for the Youth Olympic Games' athletics programme.
The facility has undergone major renovations to be up to speed for the track and field events.
Next, the IOC president made his way to the Marina Barrage, one of the venues for the Culture and Education Programme.
Mr Rogge ended the day with a visit to the Games Village in the National Technological University (NTU), where renovation works are set to be completed by end-May.
He also had a dialogue session with some 150 tertiary students.
"I saw wonderful venues, I saw a fantastic Olympic Village here at University and I had a very nice question and answer and debate with youngsters with some very interesting questions," said the IOC chief.
"I was here last in April 2008, so that is already two years ago, and the progress is immense, you will be ready by the Games time."
In conjunction with the his visit to Singapore, the IOC on Tuesday launched the Young Ambassador Programme.
Under the programme, 30 young people have been nominated by their National Olympic Committees to promote the Games in their respective countries and also assist the athletes during the Games.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge visits Singapore
Posted on Thu, 03/25/2010 - 09:26 in Sports
http://www.caymannewsservice.com/sports/2010/03/25/cayman-hosts-international-regatta
(CNS): The Race Cayman 2010 regatta reached a successful conclusion on Monday 15 March, with Ian Barrows of US Virgin Islands winning the Byte CII North American Championships and Cayman’s Compass Marine Team of Mike Farrington, Matt Diaz and Sam Dawson claiming victory in the CISC J/22 International. Both events were run simultaneously by the Cayman Islands Sailing Club (CISC) with excellent conditions prevailing in the North Sound where a total of 25 races were held over 6 days. Jane Moon, the event organiser, said it was the biggest international sailing event that Cayman had ever hosted.
"A total 17 countries from the Caribbean, Europe and the United States took part. Within the overall Race Cayman event there was a youth event, racing in single-handed Bytes, and an adult event racing J/22s, a fixed keel boat typically raced by a crew of three or four,” Moon said.
The youth regatta combined the Youth Olympic Games regional qualifying event and the Byte CII North American Championship, while the adult event was the CISC J/22 International regatta.
Moon continued, “The event exceeded our expectations and the hope is that we will be able to continue to host more major international sailing events in the future. Over 100 visitors came to Cayman for Race Cayman and they were very excited by the ideal natural sailing location that the North Sound offers. The water is warm, the sea is sheltered and there is always an ideal sailing breeze.”
In the Byte class, Ian Barrows US Virgin Islands (ISV) put in an awesome display of sailing skills to run out clear winner of the Byte CII North American Championships and the North American and Caribbean qualifier for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). The top four nations in the boy’s and girl’s division qualify for the inaugural 2010 Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore in August 2010
Behind Barrows, Eugene Hendrix from the Netherlands (AHO) took the silver medal, with Spain’s Marti Llena, already qualified for the YOG but in the Cayman Islands to get some additional racing practice, taking third.
In the battle for the Youth Olympic Games qualification places, the top four qualifying counties were the US Virgin Islands, the Netherlands Antilles, Bermuda and Cuba. In the girl’s division the four places went to Canada, USA, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Oliver Fogarty was the top Cayman finisher in 12th place whilst Marina Maffessanti finished in 2nd place in the girls division. However, due to age restrictions Fogarty and Maffessanti are not eligible to participate in the Youth Olympics.
Mike Weber who, with his instructors, runs beginners to advanced racing classes at the sailing club together with the government schools sailing programme commented, “We were really pleased with the performance of our Cayman sailors. This event really put Cayman on the map in the sailing world and reinforces all the hard work the team has been putting in to raise the standard of competitive sailing in Cayman. Having a formal programme in place to teach Caymanian kids at a grassroots level will feed this enthusiasm and hopefully produce future sailing Olympians.”
In the J/22 event, eleven teams battled it out in the North Sound with nine races being held over the 3 days of competition. The Cayman teams Compass Marine and Ciao! led a strong field of international competition and faced tough challenges from Peter Harper’s Jamaica team from Montego Bay Yacht Club and the Bahamas team skippered by Jimmie Lowe from Nassau who were constantly in contention for the top spots. However, consistency paid off and Compass Marine finished in first place with seven first place finishes in the nine races, securing victory by a margin of eight points. The Ciao! team of Tomeaka McTaggart, Nick Taylor, Paul Johnston and Lindsey Macfee claimed second place with the Bahamians edging out the Jamaicans by 1 point to finish in 3rd place. Sailors were able to enjoy perfect Cayman sailing conditions with steady north to north east breezes at 12-15 knots.
The Regatta was organized by Cayman Islands Sailing Club in conjunction with the Byte CII Class with support from Cayman Islands Government Ministry of Sport, Cayman Islands Olympic Committee and a large number of local sponsors. Particular thanks were expressed to His Excellency The Governor Mr Duncan Taylor and Mrs Taylor for inviting participants to Government House for an Opening Reception, Acting Governor Mr Donovan Ebanks, Sports Minister Mark Scotland, CIOC Olympic President Donald McLean, Chief Executive Officer Carson Ebanks and the army of volunteers who manned race committee, mark and safety boats, organized shore administration and social events, hosted visitors, secured sponsorship, lent boats, all of whom contributed to the event’s success.
Visiting officials assisted with race management and jury processes and according to International Judge Harry Keith “the sailing was excellent as was the Race Committee work. The hospitality of the CISC and the general friendly atmosphere of the Island was fantastic. The whole trip was a total pleasure”.
Please refer to the following link under "Singapore Also Can":
http://www.badmintonforum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=69880&page=88 (post#1494)
Channel NewsAsia
29 March 2010 1907 hrs
By Patwant Singh
SINGAPORE: Up to 320,000 tickets will be available for sale worldwide from Wednesday for the inaugural 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.
Releasing the competition schedule, the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) said that in order to watch regular sports events, it will cost S$10 for the preliminary rounds, S$15 for the quarter-finals/semi-finals and S$30 for the finals.
Football is an exception – the sport will see the tickets at half the prices, at S$5 for preliminaries, S$7.50 for quarter finals/semi finals and S$10 for finals for the uncovered seats at Jalan Besar stadium, venue for the football competition.
Details on the pricing for the opening and closing ceremonies will be available in the next few weeks.
Although there will be no discounts or season tickets, SYOGOC chief executive officer Goh Kee Nguan believes the tickets are affordably priced.
The committee also has contingency plans should tickets sales be poor, but did not reveal details.
Every ticket purchase will also come with a Singapore 2010 DBS Visa Prepaid Companion Card that offers up to four free MRT train rides and unlimited bus rides for the day of the event that the ticket is purchased for. It can also be used as a pre-paid top-up card.
Details on the pricing for the opening and closing ceremonies will be available in the next few weeks.
Tickets have been set aside for the International Federations and 205 National Olympic Committees participating.
However, a large proportion is expected to be snapped up by schools.
"We are definitely quite confident that the ticket sales will be good," said Goh. "I think we have different stakeholders and different partners have come forward and say that they are very interested to buy tickets."
Said Alice Tan, SYOGOC's director of Marketing & Sponsorship: "We have already put up some advertisements online because digital media is one main focus in terms of publicity. We have also put in e-mailers, we have blasted out to a few hundred thousand people."
SYOGOC also announced the competition schedule for the 26 sports being contested at the Games.
The format will include mixed gender grouping and/or mixed National Olympic Committee teams. Some sports will even be played in completely new formats to raise the level of excitement for both the athletes and spectators.
Tickets will go on sale on a first-come-first-serve basis at www.singapore2010.sg/tickets on Wednesday, March 31 at 9.00am, and via the Singapore 2010 Ticketing Call Centre Hotline at +65 63482010 from 9.00am to 10.00pm daily.
They are also available at any of the 29 authorised SISTIC ticket counters in Singapore, payable by cash or Visa.
Visit www.singapore2010.sg for further details.
Fuss-free ticket system for YOG
TODAY
05:55 AM Mar 30
by Tan Yo-Hinn , 2010
SINGAPORE - Except for football, the cheapest ticket for sports events at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games will be $10, the most expensive $30.
And students and the elderly will pay the same as adults.
There will not be any season passes or package deals as the organisers look for a simple and clean ticketing system for the inaugural Games, which Singapore will host from Aug 14 to 26.
The first gold medal to be handed out will be for the girls' triathlon, on Aug 15 at around 10.30am.
The Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (Syogoc) announced ticket details and the competition schedule yesterday, as the country gears up for its biggest multi-sport event since the 1993 SEA Games.
Syogoc CEO BG (NS) Goh Kee Nguan believes the pricing is fair, and is confident all tickets will be snapped up.
He promises fans they will be in for a treat, when approximately 3,600 athletes aged 14 to 18 years from across the world do battle in the 26 Olympic sports.
As many as 320,000 tickets will go on sale online and at 29 Sistic counters across the country from 9am tomorrow. There will also be three authorised ticket counters each in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Each ticket purchased will also be accompanied by a pre-paid companion card that allows for four free MRT/LRT rides and unlimited bus journeys for the day in question. Tan Yo-Hinn
TODAY
05:55 AM Mar 30, 2010
by Tan Yo-Hinn
SINGAPORE - Organisers yesterday shed light on the competition format for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.
The Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (Syogoc) also revealed details on the mixed gender events and mixed National Olympic Committee (NOC) events in the competition schedule.
Singapore will host the inaugural Games from Aug 14 to 26 and will see around 3,600 athletes aged 14 to 18 competing in the 26 Olympic sports.
The first medals will be awarded on Aug 15 in the girls' triathlon, with the final ones given out in table tennis (mixed final) and volleyball (boys' and girls' finals) on Aug 26.
Among the new events is the 1km medley relay team competition in athletics, where athletes will be chosen to form five teams representing the five competing continents.
Featuring a boys' and girls' race, it consists of four legs - 100m, 200m, 300m and 400m.
For modern pentathlon, all participants will also compete in a mixed gender team relay event, besides the boys' and girls' events.
The relay event will see 24 boys and 24 girls paired up through a draw conducted during the Games.
Modern pentathlon will not feature equestrian as the sport's world body, the International Modern Pentathlon Union, stipulated the juniors did not have to master the discipline.
Laser guns, instead of "live" ammunition, will be used for the shooting discipline, which will be combined with the running leg.
"We believe having these new competition formats will see more from the public coming to watch the events," Syogoc director (sport and venues) Patrick Lee told MediaCorp.
"It will also give athletes eliminated from their respective events more to look forward to by taking part in team events."
Lee believes spectators will see top-class junior-level sporting action. He said: The competition will be no less intense ... Some of them are already (senior) Olympians in their own right, like the gymnasts."
TODAY
05:55 AM Apr 01, 2010
SINGAPORE - More than 600 Youth Olympic Games tickets were snapped up within 30 minutes of their going on sale online at 9am yesterday. And before the 29 Sistic ticketing counters islandwide closed at 8pm last night, a surge in demand saw tickets for some sessions of diving, gymnastics and swimming.
At press time, the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee were unable to give a breakdown of the total number of tickets sold. The organisers were only willing to say more than 50 per cent of the tickets sold were purchased online. Most transactions were from Singapore.
Tickets are priced at $10 (preliminary), $15 (quarter-finals and semi-finals) and $30 (finals). The only exception is football, where tickets go for $5, $7.50 and $15.
Each ticket comes with a Singapore 2010 DBS Visa Prepaid Companion Card that allows the purchaser free bus rides and four MRT trips on the day of the event.
The inaugural Games will be held in Singapore from Aug 14 to 26, and Syogoc are confident they will be able to sell all 320,00 tickets on offer. Patwant Singh
For details, log on to www.singapore2010.sg/tickets or call 6348 2010.
I just made my purchase through the phone for different sports/disciplines.
Of course Badminton is on top of my list and I will attend on the following days. The venue at Spore Indoor Stadium for most events after working hours is ideal, with the new Stadium MRT just at its doorsteps and free MRT and bus rides that come with the ticket.
Badminton
13 Aug Fri 09.00-22.00 Prelim
17 Aug Tue 18.00-22.00 QF
18 Aug Wed 18.00-22.00 SF
19 Aug Thu 18.00-22.00 F
Others
20 Aug Fri 18.30-20.30 Swimming F, Spore Sports Sch
21 Aug Sat 15.00-18.45 Canoe-Kayak Prelim (Sprint), Marina Reservoir
22 Aug Sun 09.00-11.00 Athletics F, Bishan Stadium
23 Aug Mon 10.00-21.00 Table Tennis SF & F, Spore Indoor Stadium
24 Aug Tue 18.00-21.00 Boxing (Men Ranking), Int'l Convention Cen, SUNTEC
25 Aug Wed 18.00-23.00 Football Boys Ranking & F, Jalan Besar Stadium
Hope you can also support this inaugural Youth Olympics. :)
YOG website:
http://www.singapore2010.sg/public/sg2010/en.html
During lunch time I walked to ION Orchard (SISTIC 4th level) to collect my tickets and fare card (for MRT & bus) which looks more like a credit card. :D
Here's how they look like:
Channel NewsAsia
01 April 2010 2137 hrs
By Tan Yo-Hinn
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.
Channel NewsAsia
03 April 2010 2202 hrs
By Patwant SIngh
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.
Channel NewsAsia
05 April 2010 2147 hrs
By Patwant Singh
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."
The Straits Times
Apr 7, 2010
By Jonathan Wong & Chan U-Gene
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.
Scott Ang, Clara Wong win final trials to select Singapore triathletes for YOG
Channel NewsAsia
10 April 2010 2319 hrs
By Nicholas Fang/Joanne Chan
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."
Channel NewsAsia
14 April 2010 2000 hrs
By Patwant Singh
SINGAPORE: 20,000 tickets for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games have been sold. This update was given by the organisers at the 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 as the opening and closing ceremonies will be held at the Floating Platform and the official media centre will be at the Marina Bay Sands.
Another reason is that the Padang will be used for the National Day celebrations also in August.
Also unveiled was a minute-long TV commercial which will go on air on the April 19 in Singapore.
With four months to go, ticket sales are moving along with 20,000 of the 320,000 on offer being snapped up.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Community Development, Youth and Sports, Teo Ser Luck, said: "We are quite happy with the progress. I think it will actually pick up for some of the other sports that are non-mainstream.
“We hope to do more and create more publicity for the mainstream sports. The sports that are more popularly followed like swimming, diving and even football, are selling well."
The Straits Times
Apr 16, 2010
By Karen Zainal
TWO local artists have been given the honour of making their mark on the Marina Bay waterfront promenade.
To commemorate Singapore's hosting of the first Youth Olympic Games (YOG), two Olympic-themed sculptures will be prominently installed along Marina Boulevard by the water by end of July.
The designs by Mr Huang Yifan, 22 and Mr Edwin Cheong, 36 were selected out of about 90 concept submissions from 30 artists.
Sponsored by City Developments Limited (CDL), their works will be the first public art sculptures launched under the new Marina Bay Public Art Programme by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
At a press conference on Friday, each of the selected artists had a turn at unveiling the design and concept of their artwork.
Mr Huang's design, which illustrates the unifying spirit of sport through a stylised and dynamic depiction of sportsmen engaging in the 26 YOG sports, is circular and 4 metres in diameter. Mr Cheong's tree-like sculpture will stand at 10 m tall, the height of two overhead bridges, and embodies the Olympic dedication to protect our environment.
Mr Cheong's tree-like sculpture will stand at 10 m tall, the height of two overhead bridges, and embodies the Olympic dedication to protect our environment. -- PHOTO: URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
The New Paper
Fri, Apr 16, 2010
It'll cost $30 to $200 to be at the Youth Olympic Games opening ceremony
MORE than 25,000 spectators will be at the Marina Bay floating platform in August enjoying an evening of performances topped off with a display of fireworks.
And this year we will have that not once but twice.
Just five days after the National Day Parade on Aug 9 will be the opening ceremony of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
As it is the first YOG, the organisers aim to put up a memorable show for what they estimate to be a worldwide audience of two billion.
The man in charge of the spectacle is creative director Ivan Heng, who has put on several major shows in the past including last year's National Day Parade.
Said the 46-year-old theatre director, actor, playwright and designer: "The opening ceremony will celebrate and dignify a new revolution in the way we inspire the youth to get involved in sports."
The ceremony would be an opportunity to not only inspire "global unity" but also make Singaporeans "feel proud of Singapore".
But unlike the National Day Parade, which is free, it will cost $30 to $200 to be at the YOG opening ceremony.
At a glance, both shows seem to share similar elements - celebrity appearances, youth performances, state-of-the-art special effects and of course the essential fireworks set against the dramatic backdrop of the Marina Bay waterfront and city skyline.
But Mr Heng was quick to highlight differences between the two events.
"NDP 2009 was an occasion when we sought to celebrate the Singapore story," he said of his National Day production last year.
The mantra for the YOG opening ceremony, on the other hand, is "by the youth, with the youth, for the youth", thus making them "very different events".
About 7,000 young people, aged between eight and 21, will be involved in the performances. A few of them were part of the team which spent the first half of last year brainstorming ideas and concepts in a series of workshops.
"Youth-centric"
Mr Timothy Chan, 20, formerly of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), said it was good that the young had a stake in the show, resulting in something that is "youth-centric".
Mr Heng wanted the opening ceremony to depict the "struggles, hopes and dreams" of the young Olympians, drawing parallels to Singapore's beginnings as a young nation.
Miss Chris Koh, head of ticketing for the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee, said that "research and benchmarking" had been done to make sure that ticket prices are "inclusive" and "attractive" for Singaporeans.
Mr Heng also expressed confidence in the take-up rate of the tickets.
He said: "I expect many Singaporeans will want to witness the beginning of a new chapter in the Olympic Movement. This is about participating in a ground-breaking historical moment."
The Straits Times
Apr 24, 2010
By Jonathan Wong
EQUESTRIAN rider Caroline Chew, 18, putting her best foot forward as she and horse Pikadeur jump their way to victory at the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Jumping Challenge Category A competition on Saturday.
The Hwa Chong Institutition student, who switched discipline from dressage to showjumping only last year, beat five other riders on her way to a win at the Bukit Timah Saddle Club.
She is hoping to represent Singapore at the Aug 14-26 Youth Olympic Games in the jumping event.
Cheering her on from the sidelines was Michael Palmer (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC), who is also a committee member of the Singapore Youth Sports Development, and was casting his eye over preparations by the various national sports associations of the 26 YOG sports.
The Hwa Chong Institutition student, who switched discipline from dressage to showjumping only last year, beat five other riders on her way to a win at the Bukit Timah Saddle Club. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG
CLELY
04-27-2010, 10:22 PM
April 27, 2010
Ami Afriatni
Two Indonesian Shuttlers Win Spots at Youth Games in Singapore
Two more young Indonesian athletes have qualified for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore from August 14-26.
Shuttler Evert Sukamta earned a place in the Youth Games after his top five finish at the ongoing Asian Youth Under-19 Championships in Kuala Lumpur.
Evert advanced from the boy’s singles quarterfinals by defeating China’s Cai Ruiqing, before falling to Malaysia’s Wei Sheng Loh in their semifinal match.
Renna Suwarno, who exited at the quarterfinal stage in the girl’s singles, secured a spot in Singapore because China, which has three athletes in the final four, can only send two players due to national quotas in operation for the Youth Games.
“This is the best we can do in badminton. It’s difficult for us to use our full quota as the opposition is tough,” Jacob Rusdianto, secretary general of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI), said on Tuesday.
With just two shuttlers set to compete in Singapore, PBSI is still optimistic that one of its athletes can bring home a medal from the Youth Games.
“I think Evert has a good chance to win a medal, at least a bronze, because he is competitive. I hope he can achieve even better than that,” Jacob said.
So far seven Indonesian youngsters have qualified for the Youth Games from three sports. Swimming is sending three athletes, weightlifting two and badminton two.
*taken from the Jakarta Globe.com -- http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/badminton/two-indonesian-shuttlers-win-spots-at-youth-games-in-singapore/371791
Channel NewsAsia
05 May 2010 2148 hrs
By Patwant Singh
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.
The Youth Olympics Games (YOG) store along the Orchard Road shopping belt
Channel NewsAsia
06 May 2010 1908 hrs
By Patwant Singh
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.
Channel NewsAsi
07 May 2010 2208 hrs
By Patwant Singh
SINGAPORE : Ninety-nine days left to Singapore's biggest sporting spectacle - the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) - and the countdown to August 14 began with a big party on Friday.
The *scape Youth Park at Orchard Road became a party ground - aptly chosen for its appeal with the young.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who was present at the event, had words of praise for those who moved so quickly to organise the games.
He also had words of encouragement for the 20,000 volunteers who will be contributing their time and putting in effort.
"You are going to be very important people because you are going to be the first people the athletes will greet, the officials, the delegates the spectators. And if they need anything, they will turn to you, count on you," said PM Lee.
"You have to be at your posts on time, rain or shine, to take charge and deliver and make sure everything goes right. Do well so that you give all our visitors a positive impression of Singapore at the games," he added.
Uniforms for YOG officials - donned by models - were also unveiled at the celebrations.
More celebrations are to come ahead of the August 14 games. One to look out for is the torch relay.
After travelling around the world in July, the Olympic flame will arrives in Singapore in early August for a 6-day round the island torch relay involving some 2,400 torch bearers.
TODAY
05:55 AM May 07, 2010
by Ian De Cotta
SINGAPORE - Kadir Yahaya has travelled the world playing for the Lions. He was part of the "Dream Team" that won the Malaysia Cup and league double in 1994, and was a key figure in the side that won the-then Tiger Cup in 1998.
So when he says the Singapore under-15 squad preparing for the Youth Olympic Games are an impressive outfit, you tend to believe him.
The 41-year-old rates them higher than a similar squad under his charge six years ago. The class of 2004 produced a bumper crop of nine players who eventually made the Young Lions squad.
Future Lions
Kadir is confident that two-thirds of the under-15 team he took over in February have the quality to don national colours by the time Singapore is expected to host the 2015 SEA Games.
"There is certainly no lack of effort in the squad. Everyone is fighting hard to make the final 18 for the Youth Olympics," Kadir told MediaCorp yesterday.
"But, like all youngsters, their form is erratic. They can be very good in one game and then take a dip in the next."
His challenge is to "fix the problem within the next couple of months", with the help of a psychologist. Mental and physical evaluations are now part of the team's weekend in-camp training sessions at the Singapore Sports School. Said Kadir: "Part of the problem is nerves, obviously ... That was what happened during the Asian Youth Games here last July."
The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) have set the team a semi-final target for the Youth Olympics, to be held here from Aug 14 to 26. Hosts Singapore and the champions from five continents will do battle for the medals - Bolivia, Cuba, Montenegro, Zimbabwe and Vanuatu.
The team spent a week in Melbourne in March and the Football Association of Singapore are currently finalising plans for a two-week training stint at possibly the Tottenham Hotspur Academy.
Plans are also afoot to stage the Lion City Cup in June or early July, to give the team more exposure to competition.
Said Kadir: "In Melbourne, we played against older players and the plan in England is for them to play the kind of schedule in August, which has breaks in between matches.
"This will allow us to see how they cope and give us an idea of who will make the final squad." Ian De Cotta
Channel NewsAsia
10 May 2010 1919 hrs
By Low Lin Fhoong
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.
Channel NewsAsia
17 May 2010 1413 hrs
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.
TODAY
05:55 AM May 19, 2010
by Low Lin Fhoong
Iran's girls will play all their Youth Olympic Games football matches in jerseys, shorts and caps - instead of their traditional head scarves, or hijab.
They open Group A with a match against Turkey on Aug 12 at the Jalan Besar Stadium. The match will also be the first piece of sporting action of the inaugural Games.
Papua New Guinea are the other team in the group.
In March, Fifa had objected to the girls wearing the hijab for safety reasons, and barred them from the inaugural Youth Olympics.
But a compromise was reached earlier this month between football's world governing body and the Iran Football Federation (IFF).
Speaking to MediaCorp at the Youth Olympics football team draw at PSA Building yesterday, Mahdieh Mohammadkhani, a member of the IFF women's committee, said the under-15 team were looking forward to their first international appearance.
"All the problems have been sorted out ... Fifa didn't know what it (the cap) looked like so we sent them a sample," she said.
"This tournament is very important for us as it will help promote women's football in Iran."
One team each from the six confederations will take part in the Games football tournament for girls from Aug 12 to 25.
Chile, Trinidad and Tobago and Equatorial Guinea make up Group B.
Channel NewsAsia
21 May 2010 2026 hrs
By Jessica Yeo
SINGAPORE: A sports truck will be blazing a new trail across Singapore over the next four months.
Called the "Trailblazer", it was launched by Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.
It will be making the rounds to shopping malls and community events to spread the word on sports, and the Youth Olympic Games.
It's also a one-stop resource centre - where visitors can have a go at some of the sports that are part of the YOG.
Cheer Singapore motivators will also be at each station to help Singaporeans know more about the YOG's new cheer song. - CNA/fa
The Straits Times
May 24, 2010
Students given opportunity to support athletes, enjoy spirit of sports competition
By Carolyn Quek & Amelia Tan
STUDENTS in Singapore will be out in full force when the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) hits town in August.
The Education Ministry (MOE) is buying 80,000, or a quarter of the available tickets, for students from primary schools to junior colleges to watch both preliminary and final competitions during the Aug 14 - 26 event.
The ministry declined to say how much money would be spent on the tickets or whether there had been any concessions given.
Sealman
05-23-2010, 10:52 PM
I just made my purchase through the phone for different sports/disciplines.
Of course Badminton is on top of my list and I will attend on the following days. The venue at Spore Indoor Stadium for most events after working hours is ideal, with the new Stadium MRT just at its doorsteps and free MRT and bus rides that come with the ticket.
Badminton
13 Aug Fri 09.00-22.00 Prelim
17 Aug Tue 18.00-22.00 QF
18 Aug Wed 18.00-22.00 SF
19 Aug Thu 18.00-22.00 F
Seems like there has been a change in the schedule. This information was extracted from the YOG website:
Badminton
Singapore Indoor Stadium
15/08/2010 Sun 09:00 22:00 Men/Women Prelim T035 $10
16/08/2010 Mon 09:00 22:00 Men/Women Prelim T036 $10
17/08/2010 Tue 18:00 22:00 Men/Women Q-Final T037 $15
18/08/2010 Wed 18:00 22:00 Men/Women S-Final T038 $15
19/08/2010 Thu 18:00 22:00 Men/Women Ranking & Final T039 $30
Prices in S$.
http://www.singapore2010.sg/public/sg2010/en/en_tickets/en_competition_schedule_and_prices/MainPar/01/text_files/file3/singapore2010_gamestime_schedule(detailed)_v1_2.pd f
http://www.singapore2010.sg/public/sg2010/en/en_tickets/en_how_to_buy_tickets.html
Channel NewsAsia
27 May 2010 1721 hrs
By Jessica Yeo
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
Some fun facts about Table Tennis, Football and Badminton: :D:):p
http://www.sistic.com.sg/cms/buzzspecial/YOG/26may/edm_yog.html
Channel NewsAsia
02 June 2010 0005 hrs
By Evelyn Choo
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.
Channel NewsAsia
07 June 2010 2211 hrs
By Patwant Singh
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 reside 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.
TODAY
05:55 AM Jun 15, 2010
by Low Lin Fhoong
SINGAPORE - The Singapore gymnastics team twirled their way to three gold medals at the 7th Singapore Open Championship and 8th SEA Gymnastics Confederations (SEAGCON) Junior Gymnastics championships yesterday.
In the Singapore Open, the five-girl team comprising Cecilia Chia, Vivien Ho, Nomura Miki, Yi Lin and Ann Sim scored a total of 19.850 points to overcome favourites Japan (18.825) to stand atop the podium in the hoop event. Thailand won the bronze with 17.750.
The Singapore girls also bagged the silver in the ribbon group event at the Bishan Sports Hall.
Singapore Gymnastics vice-president Lee Hong Chuang said he was pleased with the outcome.
"The girls stayed focused and they really do deserve this win... It will definitely boost their confidence," he said.
The rhythmic gymnasts scores in the hoop and ribbon events also ensured another two gold medals in the SEAGCON Junior event, which is only open to Southeast Asian countries, with Thailand finishing runners-up in both categories.
Team Singapore also reaped one silver (hoop) and two bronze medals (hoop, clubs) in the individual finals.
The 11-day championships are the final competition for the Singapore team of 15-year-olds before the Youth Olympic Games from Aug 14 to 26.
Action resumes at the Bishan Sports Hall on Thursday, with the Republic's male artistic gymnasts taking to the floor.
Channel NewsAsia
23 June 2010 2219 hrs
By Patwant Singh
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.
Channel NewsAsia
28 June 2010 2332 hrs
By Hetty Musfirah
SINGAPORE: This year's Singapore Youth Festival which kicks off on Saturday will run for two months instead of one month. The organisers have extended the festival to support the Youth Olympic Games.
Celebrate friendship in the spirit of the Youth Olympics through music and dance.
The Youth Festival which carries the theme the "Torch of Friendship" hopes to leave a mark on athletes and officials.
Sum Chee Wah, director, Education Programmes, Education Ministry, said: "We would like as many athletes and officials to attend the concerts and outreach events as many as possible.
“They can expect to be welcomed by the vibrant performances of the students. We have arranged two outreach events. One is going to be at Raffles City, the other is going to be at the National Library. And these are events that are free. Theere will be a mixture of performances by students from primary schools and secondary schools."
International guests are also invited to attend two other concerts held in August.
More than 10,000 youths from over 70 schools will be taking part.
12-year-old Joy Tan from St Margaret's Primary School has been chosen to sing the theme song.
She said: “It's been a very good experience and I have learnt to control my nervousness and how to perform on stage.”
This year will also see a bigger foreign presence with nine groups from abroad taking part.
They include concert and display bands from Japan, Australia and Malaysia.
Ms Sum added: "The reason why we have engaged them is that we would like our own students to benchmark their own music and dance against the international standards.
“This is also part of globalisation. We would like our students to be exposed to different performances across the world so that they will get a snippet of the culture, art performances in other countries.”
Students from the Australian International School in Singapore will also be performing for the first time in the festival.
About 14,000 people are expected to attend the festival's opening ceremony at the Indoor Stadium.
It will feature for the first time in the festival's history, a parade band comprising primary school students.
The students are concert band members from Bendemeer Primary School and Maha Bodhi School.
Some 500 tickets will be available to the public for free.
The tickets can be obtained from the reception counter of the Co-Curricular Activities Branch Unit from 9am, June 29.
Channel NewsAsia
29 June 2010 1910 hrs
By Alvina Soh
SINGAPORE : The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has launched three coins to commemorate the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
The gold, silver and bi-metal copper-nickel coins are legal tender at S$10, S$5 and S$2 respectively and are set to be a collector's item.
Yip Pak Ling, director, Singapore Mint, said: "In every Olympic, there's always a coin being issued to commemorate the event. So Singapore being the first country to host the Youth Olympic, ... it's also very appropriate to adopt the same tradition as the Olympic - to have a coin to mark the event."
The coins feature the Singapore 2010 emblem, mascots Lyo and Merly, and the distinctive Olympic rings.
The obverse of the coins bears the Singapore Arms with the year-date 2010.
Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth & Sports, said: "This is the first Youth Olympics Games. So it's not just a commemorative, ... a collector coin. But it's actually the first ... for the first Games, for the world and for Singapore as well."
The gold coin retails for S$850, the silver at S$130 and the bi-metal coin at S$29. The silver piece is also Singapore's first hologram coin.
To ensure their appeal, four medallions can be added to form a set.
The coins are limited edition, with mintage of 5,000 pieces of 1/4 oz 999.9 gold coin, 10,000 of 1 oz 999 fine silver and 30,000 of the bi-metal coin.
Already orders are pouring in.
"They're really nice. I think they represent the Games really well," a collector said.
"It's great because they have a lot of details on it and it's good for collection," another added.
The coins are currently on show at the Olympic Superstore outside Ngee Ann City.
The Straits Times
Jul 2, 2010
THREE-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt today became the latest high-profile athlete to sign on as a Youth Olympic Games Ambassador, joining a star-studded list that also includes Olympic champions swimmer Michael Phelps and pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva.
Bolt, the Jamaican sprinter who holds the World and Olympic records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m-relay events, will encourage young people around the globe to become more active in sport in his role as Ambassador for the Youth Olympic Games, the inaugural edition of which is scheduled to take place from August 14 to 26 in Singapore, the YOG organisers said in a press statement.
Bolt said: '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. 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.'
IOC President Jacques Rogge said: 'We are very pleased that Usain will now join Michael and Yelena as Youth Olympic Games Ambassadors. 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.'
The mission of the Youth Olympic Games is to inspire young people around the world to participate in sport and adopt and live by the Olympic values. The first edition of the Youth Olympic Games will be held this summer in Singapore, with the first winter edition to take place in Innsbruck, Austria, in 2012.
Bolt will encourage young people around the globe to become more active in sport in his role as Ambassador for the Youth Olympic Games, the inaugural edition of which is scheduled to take place from 14 to 26 August in Singapore, the YOG organisers said in a press statement. -- ST PHOTO
TODAY
05:55 AM Jul 05, 2010
Athletes taking part in the inaugural Youth Olympic Games next month will have the chance to be involved in community projects when they take part in its culture and education programme.
The YOG Organising Committee is working with the National Youth Council and six community partners to deliver six project activities: Clog painting, community drumming, circus arts, balloon sculpting, origami folding and ceramic tile-making.
The athletes taking part in these activities will also interact with local community participants such as students from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore.
Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan announced the partnership yesterday.
Channel NewsAsia 05 July 2010 1803 hrs
By Patwant Singh
SINGAPORE : Sixteen of the original Olympic torches - with one dating back to the 1936 Berlin Games - are in Singapore.
They will be exhibited as part of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Culture and Education programme.
The collection arrived from the Olympic museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The longest torch - measuring 88.5cm - is from the Atlanta Olympics, while the newest is the Beijing torch of 2008.
The torches will be displayed at two locations during the YOG.
Five will be at the Youth Olympic Village in Nanyang Technological University, and the rest at the International Convention Centre (ICC).
The exhibition at the Youth Olympic Village starts on August 13, while the exhibition at ICC opens two days later. Both will run until August 25.
Singapore YOG Organising Committee's Chief Executive, Goh Kee Nguan said the torches symbolise the Olympic spirit and values.
Veteran Singapore athlete C.Kunalan, who competed in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and in 1968 in Mexico, remembered what it was like when he saw the torches as a young athlete.
"Tokyo was my first Olympics. (That time), I represented Malaysia because we were part of Malaysia. It was significant because it was my first time looking at the torch going around the track and up on the cauldron," said former Singapore Olympian Kunalan.
The first modern torch relay was introduced in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
However, the Beijing Olympics torch relay courted much controversy overseas, resulting in the IOC banning all international legs of the torch relay for future games.
Channel NewsAsia
05 July 2010 2230 hrs
SINGAPORE : Tickets to the closing ceremony of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) went on sale at 9am on Monday.
This is the public sale of tickets that were left unsold after the balloting and payment exercise for tickets to the opening and closing ceremonies concluded last month.
The closing ceremony will be held on August 26 at The Float@Marina Bay.
The organising committee said the evening's performances will be a spectacle of high energy songs and dances presented by new young talents.
It will also feature highlights of the 12 days of the YOG, which kicks off on August 14.
YOG mascots
Channel NewsAsia
12 July 2010 1716 hrs
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.
Around the Rings
http://www.aroundtherings.com/articles/view.aspx?id=35171
7/13/2010
A group of 40 young athletes from 16 Olympic sports were today selected by the British Olympic Association to compete for Team GB at the first Youth Olympic Games (YOG), which take place in Singapore from 14-26 August.
The athletes, aged 14-18, will participate alongside 3,600 competitors from all 205 National Olympic Committees in a competition schedule which includes all 26 sports on the London 2012 Olympic Programme.
The British contingent will include 2009 World and 2008 European 10m platform diving champion Tom Daley, who was Team GB’s youngest competitor at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Alongside Daley in Team GB will be Victoria Ohuruogu, the 400m England Indoor Under-20 Champion and younger sister of current Olympic 400m Champion Christine.
Ohuruogu is joined in Team GB by 12 fellow athletics competitors, including fellow Londoner David Bolarinwa, who impressed at the recent European Youth Olympic Trials in Moscow where he won gold and silver in the 100m and 200m respectively to qualify in style for Singapore.
Gymnast Sam Oldham will be looking to continue his excellent form, which saw him achieve a hat-trick of gold medals at the European Junior Championships in Birmingham earlier this year.
Northern Ireland’s Mark Nesbitt will be going for gold in the archery competition, having claimed double gold for Team GB at the 2009 Australian Olympic Festival and silver at both the World and European Junior Championships in 2009. Earlier this year Nesbitt was GB’s highest placed archer, finishing sixth at the European Senior Championships.
On the tennis court Britain’s Oliver Goulding will be aiming to build on his excellent display at Wimbledon earlier this month which took him to the semi-final of the junior event. He is also a Junior Davis Cup finalist and is the current British under-18 number one.
The athletes will be joined in Singapore by 1,450 officials, 1,500 media representatives, 20,000 local and international volunteers, and more than 370,000 spectators.
In creating the YOG, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) hopes to inspire young people around the world to participate in sport and to embrace, embody and express the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.
The YOG will provide a balance between sport, education and culture. In addition to participating in their sport competitions, athletes will also take part in a Culture and Education Programme (CEP) – which includes 50 activities focused on five themes: Olympism, Skills Development, Well-being and Healthy Lifestyle, Social Responsibility and Expression.
British Olympic Association Chairman Colin Moynihan said: “The International Olympic Committee is to be applauded for creating this inspirational youth event. The Youth Olympic Games raises the bar in terms of the delivery of educational and sport programmes to young people. It will be a celebration not only of sport, fitness and healthy lifestyles, but also of the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.”
Team GB Youth Olympic Games Chef de Mission Jan Paterson said: “It’s a huge privilege to be taking such a talented group of young athletes to compete for Team GB at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. I’m confident that we will see some exciting performances and the athletes will display skill, determination and pride to achieve their personal best for Team GB in Singapore.
“Importantly, the Youth Olympic Games are about more than just sporting competition. It will provide the young Team GB athletes with an excellent opportunity to participate in a multi-sport event, and experience living and competing with over 3,500 competitors from across the world.”
http://www.morethanthegames.co.uk/summer-sports/1311633-promising-windsurfers-martin-and-rogers-eye-more-success-youth-olympics
Posted: Tuesday 13th July 2010 | 12:03
By Sportsbeat staff
TWO sailors from the land-locked Midlands will be looking for success on ocean wave at next month's Youth Olympic Games.
HOPEFUL: Kieran Martin, who won the under-15 world title last year, will be among the British medal contender at the Youth Olympic Games (Paul Wyeth/RYA)
Jade Rogers and Kieran Martin - who were both born in Stoke-on-Trent - have been named in the women's and men's windsurfing events for the inaugural Games in Singapore.
Martin, 15, won last year's world age group title and is targeting a top five finish while Ward will be looking to crack the top ten after a 12th place finish at last year's World Championships.
"It's an honour to be a part of such a major event," she said.
"Being part of Team GB with loads of other amazing athletes is pretty cool. Kieran and I both live in Cheadle in the Midlands which is about as far away from the sea as you can get.
"We learnt to windsurf on Carsington Reservoir so you don't have to live by the sea to be a good windsurfer - we've definitely proved that!"
Despite his world title, Martin believes Singapore will represent a step up in competition - with athletes aged between 14 and 18 competing in the event, which is the brainchild of International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge.
“It’ll be quite different to what I’m used to though - at the Worlds you get loads of people there where as this is just the top people out of every country,” he said.
“The competition is going to be tough and hard fought because of that but I’ll just go out there and try and do my best.
"It’ll be a learning experience and it’ll give us a good idea what the Olympics might be like to compete at and what it’s like to compete at a much higher level.”
Channel NewsAsia
13 July 2010 2002 hrs
By Dylan Loh
SINGAPORE: The inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) opening ceremony next month promises to be a treat for the senses, with fireworks, elaborate costumes and colourful displays.
The ceremony will be held at the Marina Bay floating platform.
The organisers say construction of the stage is nearly complete.
It will be partially filled with more than a hundred tonnes of water for the event to create a "reflecting pool".
Over 100 youths will perform on top of and around the pool.
In addition, close to 40 locally-composed music have also been commissioned for the opening ceremony.
One of them is composed by Geraldine Ho, who was part of the Women's Hockey team that bagged gold for Singapore during the 1993 South East Asian Games.
The 37-year-old composed "For What We Believe", which will be heard at the Youth Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Miss Ho, composer and singer, "For What We Believe", said: "I wrote this as an athlete to other athletes. It will motivate them and that they will feel the song and go through all odds and chase the stars."
Adding colour to music are these locally-designed costumes.
Frederick Lee, costume designer, YOG opening ceremony, said: "The youth, the energy and all that. So sometimes when it comes to design things like that most important is it inspires a global unity and also the national pride."
The YOG will take place from August 14 to 26.
The YOG opening ceremony will be staged at the Marina Bay floating platform
A 'sing-tillating' show
Local talent to put on a lavish Games opening display
TODAY
05:55 AM Jul 14, 2010
by Low Lin Fhoong
SINGAPORE - By her own admission, former hockey international Geraldine Ho is well past her "expiry date" when it comes to competing in the Youth Olympic Games, which will feature some 3,600 athletes aged between 14 and 18 competing in 26 sports.
The 37-year-old may be too old to feature on the hockey pitch at the Aug 14 to 26 Games, but there's no stopping her from being part of the action.
Over 25,000 spectators at The Float@Marina Bay, and 2 billion television viewers worldwide, will hear the singer-songwriter's original composition, titled For What We Believe, during the traditional parade of nations at the opening ceremony on Aug 14.
Ho, whose song My Special Angel hit top spot on the local radio charts in 1997, had sent in her demo tape at the urging of her friends.
She joins a team of 22 Singaporean composers and arrangers behind the musical production of the opening and closing ceremonies.
"I wrote this song in 1995 when I was a national hockey player. It was written for my team-mates and talks about the trials and tribulations we went through over the years," said Ho, who was a member of the hockey team that won a gold medal at the 1993 SEA Games in Singapore.
Added the fitness trainer and hockey coach: "I really wish I could take part in the Youth Games. I'm not able to do it, so this is my way of contributing. I'm happy that this song will be used for the young athletes - I understand what they're going through and I hope it will motivate them to strive harder."
Spearheaded by music director/producer Iskandar Ismail, both ceremonies will feature a total of 39 tracks, including original work from local composers such as Singapore Idol finalist Matilda D Silva, pop duo Jack and Rai and record producer Ken Lim.
Revealing this at a media briefing yesterday, creative director Ivan Heng said: "Music is the emotional spine, and it is exciting because it's original and made in Singapore, and it will be televised around the world."
Those watching the ceremonies will also be treated to a visual feast of 8,500 costumes designed by Frederick Lee, who was named Designer of the Year at the Singapore Fashion Awards 2004, and eco-friendly designs from Lasalle College of the Arts students.
Multimedia director and film effects designer Brian Gothong Tan and a team of 12 have also produced 54 videos that will be broadcast on six giant LED screens during the opening ceremony.
"There will be live action videos, 3D and 2D animation - we wanted to capture the youthful energy and much of our inspiration came from YouTube videos, artists like Lady Gaga, and surfing the Internet," Tan told MediaCorp.
Some 5,500 performers are expected to thrill the Marina Bay crowd in a 110-minute opening spectacle that will be staged on a 10,000-square-metre stage featuring a 200-cubic-metre reflecting pool, 120-metre long platform, and a ring of containers housing 250 performers.
CLELY
07-14-2010, 10:34 PM
14 July, 2010
Team Indonesia Pumped Up for Games
After playing in a number of international tournaments this year, Grace Sari Ysidora is now ready to represent the country in the Youth Olympics next month.
“I’ll do my best to win any medal for the country,” Grace, Indonesia’s lone entry in tennis at the Singapore Games, said on Wednesday.
“I feel confident about my chances having participated in a lot of competitions overseas.”
While most local athletes have struggled to find the budget to compete abroad and hone their skills, Grace doesn’t appear to face such a problem, given how often she competes overseas in top-level tournaments.
The 17-year-old has played in 10 international events this year, including all three junior tournaments at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.
-------------------------------------------------
Indonesia Youth Olympic squad:
Archery: Erlina Safitri
Badminton: Evert Sukamta, Renna Suwarno
Swimming: Fibriani Ratna Marita, Pratama Siahaan, Patricia Yosita
Taekwondo: Macho V. Hungan
Tennis: Grace Sari Ysidora
Weightlifting: Dewi Safitri, Zainuddin
*Full article -- http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/sports/team-indonesia-pumped-up-for-games/385838
Channel NewsAsia
14 July 2010 2307 hrs
By Patwant Singh
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."
(L-R, flanked by the Singapore 2010 YOG mascots) Gregory Lee, Ng Ser Miang, JJ Lin Jun Jie, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Goh Kee Nguan, Yong Chul Jo.
The Straits Times
15 July 2010 1315 hrs
By Mustafa Shafawi
SINGAPORE: 38 horses for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games Equestrian competition arrived Thursday in Singapore after travelling eight hours from Queensland, Australia.
These horses will be paired with athletes to compete in the Equestrian Show Jumping event during the Games.
Equestrian riders will be able to view and draw their mounts on August 13.
This will be the first time that a horse draw is conducted in Olympic history.
The assigned horse-rider combination will apply throughout the competition for both the team and individual events.
A new format will also debut during the Equestrian team event.
The 30 individual riders will also vie for team event medals by competing in five teams.
Team members will come from different National Olympic Committees, or even from different continents.
In the largest movement of horses in Singapore, the horses, after their arrival, were loaded onto trucks bound for the Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre (STCRC) - the equestrian competition venue.
They will be under quarantine there from July 16 to 30.
Channel NewsAsia
20 July 2010 2151 hrs
By Patwant Singh
SINGAPORE: Singapore athletes competing at the Youth Olympic Games can expect more than just medals.
A new scholarship was announced during the flag presentation ceremony for Team Singapore at Nanyang Girls High School.
Singapore's flag-bearer for the Games will be basketball player Jabez Su, while swimmer Amanda Lim led the 130-strong contingent in taking the pledge and singing the national anthem.
Many Team Singapore athletes are representing the country for the first time can expect good home-crowd support.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said: "The fact that we have athletes competing in all 26 sports is already a win-win for us. If they can do their personal best in those sports that have timings, I think we will be very happy. If they can win medals, we will all be delighted, delirious."
James Wong, chef-de-mission, Team Singapore, Singapore Youth Olympic Games 2010, says: "Everyone here knows what they need to so because it's the first Youth Olympic Games for Singapore and they have been selected and it's one proud moment for everyone of them. They are just, I think they just can't wait to show what we can do in Singapore."
NTUC FairPrice Foundation also announced a new sports scholarship amounting to some $300,000 - $50,000 given to an individual gold medal winner, $25,000 for a silver, and $17,500 for bronze.
Team sports winners will get a bigger quantum.
A team gold will net $80,000 while the top spot in team sports gets $150,000.
Medalists for team events can expect $40,000 for silver and $20,000 for a bronze.
While a silver for team sports earns $75,000 and $37,000 for a bronze in this category.
The total amount of $300,000 will be raised if there are more winners.
Photo shows Minister Teo Chee Hean and Singapore athletes competing at the YOG
TODAY
05:55 AM Jul 22, 2010
by Low Lin Fhoong
SINGAPORE - Youth badminton player Huang Chao, who had to take an extended time out to nurse an injured wrist, showed he has fully recovered, defeating Canada's David Yuen 21-9, 21-12 in the men's singles at the US$5,000 ($6,870) Li Ning Singapore International Series yesterday.
The 18-year-old, Singapore's sole badminton representative at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games next month, hurt his wrist during the BWF World Junior Championships in April.
He returned to competition at last month's Li Ning Singapore Open 2010 Super Series in the men's doubles with partner Ngo Yi Chye, but was eliminated in the qualifying rounds.
"He's fully recovered now and we have to monitor his condition as he's been out of competition for a long while," said Singapore Badminton Association's high performance manager, Chew Keet Hou.
"He will be competing in the Surabaya Challenge next week to prepare for the Youth Olympics. Hopefully, these two competitions will help him to get back in touch with his game."
Huang Chao is seeded 10th for the Singapore international series, which will see some 250 players from 19 countries competing for honours.
The tournament at the Woodlands Sports Hall ends on Saturday.
(Another more detailed report on YOG incentives for Singapore athletes.)
TODAY
05:55 AM Jul 21, 2010
Incentive for Team Singapore to win medals at Youth Olympics
by Low Lin Fhoong
SINGAPORE - The Republic's 130-strong contingent to next month's inaugural Youth Olympic Games on home turf now has another reason to do their best: Sports scholarships valued between $17,500 and $150,000 for medal winners.
This was revealed by NTUC FairPrice Foundation general manager Wee Leong How yesterday. "We hope that through the scholarship for medallists at the Youth Games, we can help nurture young local sporting talent and sustain Singapore's passion in sports," said Wee.
Under the scheme, individual medal winners will receive $50,000 (gold), $25,000 (silver) and $17,500 (bronze).
Team events like basketball will receive $80,000, $40,000 and $20,000, while the quantum for football, hockey, handball and volleyball is $150,000, $75,000 and $37,500 respectively.
The scholarships will be disbursed via the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), and will be used for training equipment, camps, sports medicine and science, and coaching.
The Singapore contingent comprises 70 individual athletes who will compete in 22 events and the rest in the four team sports.
SNOC president Teo Chee Hean urged the youngsters to do the country proud.
"The fact that we have athletes taking part in all 26 sports is already a win-win for us," said Teo, on the sidelines of the Games Flag presentation ceremony at Nanyang Girls' High School. If they can do their personal bests, we will be very happy. If they can win medals, we will all be delirious."
Agreeing, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports Teo Ser Luck said: "I'm fairly confident that we can bring back at least one medal."
Asked what are the sports he expected Singapore to do well in, Teo highlighted the likes of sailing, or even new sports like wrestling and team sports like football.
Basketballer Jabez Su, Team Singapore's flag-bearer, is all geared up for the battle against powerhouses the United States, Israel, Turkey and the Central African Republic in the group stage of the 3-on-3 competition.
"The USA are always the favourites in basketball and we expect them to be the strongest, but we hope to put up a good fight," said the 16-year-old. "We just came back from the CIBA under-18 tournament and played at last year's Asian Youth Games and that really helped us pick up more experience and confidence."
Youth Olympics chef-de-mission James Wong, a former national athlete who won nine gold medals in the discus and hammer at the SEA Games, is just hoping Singaporeans will fill up the stadiums, sports halls and other venues.
"It's been a long journey for them preparing for the Games, and I want people to come down and cheer them on," he said.
Chia Han KeongWed, Jul 21, 2010
my paper
HE USED to be the proud athlete receiving the national flag from Games chefs de mission in past flag-presentation ceremonies.
But James Wong swopped roles yesterday, becoming the chef de mission at Team Singapore's 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) flag-presentation ceremony at Nanyang Girls' High School.
The nine-time SEA Games gold medallist handed the national flag over to basketballer Jabez Su, and hoped that he can also pass on his flair for rising to the occasion to every one of the 130 Singapore YOG athletes during the Aug 14-26 Games.
"I've been here before as an athlete, and I know that all of them will be feeling the heat once the flag has been passed over to them," he said.
"Every athlete has to be focused to do their best, and I hope to help them to do so - give pep talks, cheer them on and make sure they are ready to perform at their peak."
Indeed, he was a model of enthusiasm at yesterday's ceremony, whether it was to organise the contingent for a group photo shoot, or to lead them in a "Go Singapore" roar for television purposes.
"I'm always excited about committing to Singapore's sporting cause," he said. "I hope to pass on my strong passion to perform at my very best. Hopefully, they can be spurred on to do their best too."
Already, he is inspiring the likes of Jabez, who revealed a little-known fact about Wong: The discus thrower was once an avid basketballer.
"Seeing him being so successful in his athletic career, it definitely makes me want to learn from him and be like him," the 17-year-old student said.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also the president of the Singapore National Olympic Council, handed the national flag to Wong to begin the ceremony.
The fact that Singapore is able to field athletes in all 26 YOG sports is already an achievement to be proud of, said Mr Teo.
"If they can achieve personal bests at the YOG, we will be very glad," he added. "If they can win any kind of medal for Singapore, it would be a tremendous bonus," he added.
He also said that the NTUC Fairprice Foundation will be awarding sports scholarships to Singapore medal-winning athletes at the YOG.
The Straits Times
Jul 22, 2010
By Lee Min Kok
FRET not if you see a bus dressed in the distinct purple livery of the Youth Olympic Games ply Singapore's busy highways over the next month or so.
Blinking white lights, special licence plates bearing the words 'YOG' and lanes which have been painted with prominent road markings consisting of the five Olympic rings are the three main cues motorists have to look out for if they are to give way to these vehicles during the inaugural Games.
Only the second left-most lanes of affected roads, designated as Youth Olympic Lanes, will be used by the fleet of 700 buses, cars and limousine taxis. Signs and banners have also been put up by the sides of roads to alert motorists.
Parts of the seven major expressways, such as the Pan-Island Espressway and the Central Expressway are involved in the scheme, while smaller roads like Bishan Road and Chin Swee Road have been affected as well.
The ruling, which will come into effect during the Youth Olympic Lane validity period between August 5-26, could see motorists face a $130 should they fail to give way.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
YOG: Organisers' Plan B for Games to run smoothly in case of floods
TODAY
22 July 2010 0933 hrs
By Tan Yo-Hinn,
SINGAPORE: Organisers of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games next month are determined not to let the rain dampen their parade, putting in place contingency plans to ensure the Games run smoothly.
With flash floods here causing damage to property and bringing traffic to a standstill in recent weeks, there are fears that sudden heavy downpours may bring the Games transport to a halt, throwing the competition into disarray.
But there is a "Plan B", according to Lieutenant-Colonel Lau Hui Boon, chairman of bus operations at the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (Syogoc), which will not only cope with flash floods, but other situations, including traffic jams and vehicle breakdowns.
"We have been planning the transport support for the Youth Olympic Games for the last two years, and have thought through all the contingencies," the 36-year-old told MediaCorp yesterday.
"That is why we are confident of maintaining traffic flow and deal with any situations that may arise ... The athletes don't have to worry about transport. They can just concentrate on their competitions."
Syogoc will be working with the National Environment Agency, the Public Utilities Board, the Land Transport Authority and the Singapore Civil Defence Force, as well as some 600 volunteers to keep the wheels rolling.
Outriders would also be deployed to clear traffic if necessary.
A network of alternative routes has been mapped out, and regular drills have been conducted for such emergencies.
Lau said a lot will depend on "live" feeds from the Games' Intelligence Transport Systems Centre to ensure that the estimated 5,000 athletes, officials and delegates are transported between the 18 competition venues, hotels, Youth Olympic Village and other Games' sites on time.
"We would be able to monitor the road conditions even before our buses reach the affected roads," said Lau. "So should there be a flash flood for example, we would be able to pump the information to the drivers and divert them to other pre-planned routes."
Channel NewsAsia
21 July 2010 1937 hrs
By Mustafa Shafawi
SINGAPORE : Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan will be in Greece on Friday to witness the Youth Olympic Flame Lighting and Handover Ceremony.
It will be held in Ancient Olympia in accordance with the Olympic tradition.
A statement from the ministry said he will then travel to Berlin, the first destination city of the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame (JYOF) to attend a City Celebrations on July 24.
Two Team Singapore athletes, Amanda Lim (swimming) and Silas Abdul Razak (hockey), will be taking part in the Flame Lighting Ceremony as Singapore's torch bearers.
The Flame will then journey across five continents to City Celebrations venues in Berlin (July 24), Dakar (July 25), Mexico City (July 27-28), Auckland (August 1-2), and Seoul (August 4).
Singapore will mark the Flame's arrival on August 6 with a celebration involving President S R Nathan at the National University of Singapore.
The ministry said the JYOF aims to inspire people around the world to live by the Olympic values of Friendship, Excellence and Respect.
Dr Balakrishnan will be accompanied by officials from his ministry.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
Channel NewsAsia
23 July 2010 1357 hrs
By Mustafa Shafawi
SINGAPORE: An online media workroom was launched Friday to give media around the world access to information about the inaugural Youth Olympic Games which will be held in Singapore from August 14 to 26.
The YOG organising committee says the workroom will enable accredited media to access Games information on-the-g
As a one-stop-shop, it will also facilitate coverage by reporters and photographers who are unable to attend the Games.
The Online Media Workroom is accessible via the Singapore 2010 website at www.singapore2010.sg/mediaworkroom and will provide editorial and photo content to the international media for editorial use.
These include competition schedules, real-time results, as well as information by the Youth Olympic News Service (YONS) and images by the Youth Olympics Photo Service (YOPS).
Channel NewsAsia
25 July 2010 1416 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Youth Olympic Flame has arrived in Berlin, Germany on the first stop of its journey that will span five continents as a prelude to the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
The torch arrived in the German capital a day after it was lit in Ancient Olympia, Greece.
It made a brief visit at Siemensstadt, a famous sports club in Berlin built in 1984. Over 650,000 people visit the Siemensstadt sports club a year, and when the Flame made its stop, it was greeted by youth engaging in basketball, tennis and volleyball.
The torch then made its way by boat on the Spree River, through the Haus der Kulturen der Welt - one of the leading European centres of contemporary art and culture - and towards Pariser Platz, where the famous Brandenburg Gate is located, for a city celebration.
On stage, two German athletes bound for the upcoming Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, together with Ronny Ziesmer, the former German gymnast, ignited the celebration cauldron using the Flame.
Other athletes present at the celebration included Dirk Nowitzki – flag bearer of German Olympic team in Beijing 2008, and Andre Lange – flag bearer of German Olympic team in Vancouver 2010.
"I am thrilled to see the level of enthusiasm for sports displayed by youths here in Berlin as well as Germany. This is especially true of the 70 German youth athletes present here today who will be competing at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games next month," said Mr Ng Ser Miang, chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee and Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee.
"Their dedication to their chosen sport shows that they embrace the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect in their daily lives."
To bring a slice of Singapore life, culture and tradition to Berlin, the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) has partnered Singapore's Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts (MICA) to present a Singapore Showcase at the city celebration.
The Singapore Showcase comprised four segments. The dance segment by "The Roses" saw a group of four spunky girls take to the stage with an energetic performance of hip-hop dance.
The music segment featured singer Erick Guansing performing the much-loved Singapore song Bunga Sayang (which means "Flowers of Love" in Malay).
The sport segment featured the "Urban Street Team", Singapore's own "Football Freestylers" who displayed some nifty footwork combining dance and football.
To heighten the festive mood, the Singapore Showcase also featured a fourth segment - a music, dance and sporty extravaganza with singers Erick Guansing and Gayle Marilyn Nerva performing the catchy favourite, "Celebration" alongside pop-inspired moves by young male dancers and the spunky dance quartet, "The Roses" and the football juggling antics of "Urban Street Team".
After Berlin, the Youth Olympic Flame will travel to Dakar in Senegal (representing Africa), Mexico City in Mexico (representing the Americas), Auckland in New Zealand (representing Oceania) and Seoul in South Korea (representing Asia).
The Flame will arrive in Singapore on 6 August for a traditional six-day torch relay around the island.
The Youth Olympic Games will kick off in Singapore on August 14. Some 3,600 athletes, aged between 14 and 18, from more than 200 nations are taking part.
Altogether there will be 26 different sports categories.
German torch bearer Amelie Reichwald holds the Singapore 2010 YOG torch in a row boat on Spree River in Berlin (YOPS Photo).
Channel NewsAsia
26 July 2010 1202 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Youth Olympic Flame has arrived in Dakar, Senegal on the second leg of its journey that will span five continents as a prelude to the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
The torch arrived in Dakar from the German capital of Berlin, two days after it was lit in Ancient Olympia, Greece on Friday.
Upon its arrival, the Flame was presented to Senegal's Prime Minister Soulayeman Ndene Ndiaye by Mr Ng Ser Miang, Chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee.
The Flame travelled around Dakar, visiting historical sites such as City Hall and the Presidential Palace.
The YOG organising committee says the journey across Dakar brought enthusiasm and excitement to the city with many Senegalese children and adults following alongside the convoy.
The Flame was then transported to Goree Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The torch is on a 13-day journey to celebration cities representing five continents around the world.
It will arrive in Singapore on 6 August for a traditional six-day torch relay around the island.
Members of Singapore band Supernova sing songs before the flame in Goree island in Dakar, Senegal (YOPS Photo).
Channel NewsAsia
26 July 2010 2032 hrs
By Lynda Hong
SINGAPORE: Four postal stamps will be launched to commemorate the first-ever Youth Olympic Games, YOG.
The stamps are launched by the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) and Singapore Post.
The launch is the third stamp issue, timed to commemorate the start of the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games on August 14.
The stamps come in a set of four designs of the Singapore 2010 mascots, Lyo and Merly, in poses featuring the Culture and Education Programme (CEP) and Singapore 2010 sports.
The first two designs highlight the World Culture Village and Island Adventure formats of CEP.
Athletes will learn about diverse cultures, teamwork and leadership through these two activities.
The other two designs feature the Singapore 2010 mascots in sports like Aquatics-Swimming and Basketball.
The four stamps are valued at between 26 cents and $2.
The complete set of stamps is also available in an attractive presentation pack at S$5.90, which includes a write-up about Singapore 2010.
Also up for sale - a limited edition Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games Commemorative Pack at S$59.90, which depicts the journey since Singapore won the bid to the launch of Singapore 2010.
The pack includes an exclusive MyStamp Sheet of the Singapore 2010 mascots in all 26 sport poses.
The Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee says as a host city, Singapore is following a long-standing tradition of the Olympic Games by issuing the stamps.
More information on making online orders can be found at http://www.singapore2010/store.
Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) stamps featuring official Mascots Lyo and Merly
Channel NewsAsia
26 July 2010 1952 hrs
By Hetty Musfirah
SINGAPORE : The Youth Olympic Flame is making its way to Singapore and is slated to arrive on August 5, and the push continues to get all Singaporeans passionate about the inaugural Games.
Everyone can share and spread the Olympic spirit and children from the Singapore School for the Deaf and Mounbatten Vocational School are showing how they can pitch in.
They are taking the cue from the artistic co-ordinator of the Singapore Association for the Deaf, Ms Lily Goh.
A winning song "Dare to Dream" from the Sing! Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games song competition is one of the songs featured in a limited edition music CD album known as "Voices of Singapore 2010: In Celebration of the Youth Olympic Games".
Ms Goh said: "I had problems following the music, so I asked the interpreters to help me to see and check if everything is ok or not. Then, when I have gotten used to the music, I thought of how to use signs for the different words. I took about one or two days to come up with the signs."
While efforts to engage as many people as possible are producing results, there is still room for improvement.
Zainudin Nordin, chairman, YOG Community Outreach Advisory Committee, said: "We have reached a point where awareness is not the issue. It is now about coming to action, coming to converge at the Olympic sites, to the Olympic venue, to support our athletes.
"And also for us to show how much we are interested in sports and promote the sporting culture in Singapore, not just for the Youth Olympic Games but also future of Singapore. Because I think the sporting culture and industry need to grow. By having this, it will be a strong impetus for us to move forward."
His suggestion to Singaporeans is to buy the tickets and be part of the action.
Members of the public who wish to own a copy of the limited edition "Voices of Singapore" CD album can visit www.facebook.com/nycsg to find out more about the upcoming calendar of activities where they can stand a chance to win the music CD.
SYOGOC Chairman, Ng Ser Miang (R) holds the flame with Senegal's torch-bearer Mame Coumba Ndiaye in Dakar (YOPS Photo
The Straits Times
Jul 22, 2010
By Lee Min Kok
FRET not if you see a bus dressed in the distinct purple livery of the Youth Olympic Games ply Singapore's busy highways over the next month or so.
Blinking white lights, special licence plates bearing the words 'YOG' and lanes which have been painted with prominent road markings consisting of the five Olympic rings are the three main cues motorists have to look out for if they are to give way to these vehicles during the inaugural Games.
Only the second left-most lanes of affected roads, designated as Youth Olympic Lanes, will be used by the fleet of 700 buses, cars and limousine taxis. Signs and banners have also been put up by the sides of roads to alert motorists.
Parts of the seven major expressways, such as the Pan-Island Espressway and the Central Expressway are involved in the scheme, while smaller roads like Bishan Road and Chin Swee Road have been affected as well.
The ruling, which will come into effect during the Youth Olympic Lane validity period between August 5-26, could see motorists face a $130 should they fail to give way.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Now i know why there is the logo on the street when i drive around Spore..
Channel NewsAsia
27 July 2010 2110 hrs
By Evelyn Choo
SINGAPORE: With about two weeks to the official August 10 opening of the Youth Olympic Village at the campus of Nanyang Technological University, organisers say they are ready to welcome the athletes and officials.
The Village Square is where the athletes and officials will rest and relax, and it'll be filled with activities that will leave a lasting impression.
Director of the Culture and Education Programme for the Youth Olympic Games, Lee Pak Sing says: "We have this interesting project called the Photoscape, where we'll take pictures of every athlete and these pictures will be immortalised in the Youth Olympic Park. So when they come back 10 or 20 years from now, they can see their own pictures and say, "Hey look! This is me at the first YOG"."
Over at the dining hall, a temporary kitchen that will serve 22,000 meals a day. Athletes will also have a different dish for 10 days.
It's an elaborate menu that took four to five months to plan.
Head of Catering for the Youth Olympic Village, David Leong says: "During the European theme, we have things like the beef goulash, we have stewed lamb and things like that. For Asia, we'll have our chicken rice, so that it's in sync with the CEP programmes. We also have other things like pizza and pasta which the kids will love.
And during certain days, six days onwards, we have treat stalls. They'll have chicken wings, french fries, these are by the side, and coaches will tell the teams whether they're allowed to eat or not."
There's also a discotheque that will belt out the latest hip hop music - where only soft drinks are served, and a gymnasium that can accommodate 150 people at any one time.
Those who need medical attention can visit the clinic, where condoms will also be made available.
Organisers stressed that the intention is not to widely distribute condoms as some athletes are minors. But they're provided by UNAIDS - the Joint United Nations Programmes on HIV and Aids.
The Residential Zone will be the private corner for athletes and officials.
There are about 4,000 rooms, and all of them will be tended to by professional cleaners. Bed linen will be changed every two days. The committee is expecting about 5,600 bags of laundry to be handled every single day.
With all the amenities in place, organisers are working to ensure that this western corner of Singapore becomes a "home away from home".
Youth Olympic Village within the campus of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore
July 28, 2010 17:24 PM
Malaysia Sets One Medal Target At YOG
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia expects diving, badminton or yachting to deliver at least one medal at the Singapore Youth Olympic Games (YOG) from Aug 14-26.
Chef de mission Alex Kim said this was because Malaysia could not gauge the strength of the other contingents since it was an inaugural event.
"We want them (athletes) to do their best and hopefully come back with one medal regardless of colour," he told a press conference at Bukit Jalil Sports Complex on Wednesday.
Kim said the Malaysian contingent of 22 including 13 athletes and eight coaches will leave for Singapore on Aug 10.
The athletes are Pandalela Rinong (diving), Fatin Atikah Osman (weightlifting), Loh Wei Sheng and Sonia Cheah (badminton), Mohd Amirul Shafiq Md Jais and Khairuneeta Mohd Afendy (yachting).
National Sports Council athlete division director Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said YOG's priority was on participation rather than medals while stressing on cultural and educational aspects.
"No medals tally will be displayed during the games. Athletes will be joining programmes on arts, culture, exploration and community activities."
Shapawi was confident that Ramadan would not prevent Malaysian athletes from giving their best as they were used to training during the fasting month.
-- BERNAMA
( I must say I'm very disappointed with the relatively small contingent that Malaysia is sending to the inaugural YOG. Is it that many athletes in the other sports did not qualify. I thought the reason that "priority was on participation" would mean a much greater number would be coming.
Channel NewsAsia
29 July 2010 1837 hrs
Mexico City, Mexico: The Youth Olympic Flame has made its third stop on a tour that spans five continents, arriving in Mexico City, one of the most populous capital cities in the world.
The Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame in Mexico City coincides with celebrations to mark Mexico’s 200 years of independence, and signalled the start of a two-day City Celebration.
Together with Mexican athletes, sports and government officals, and members of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee, the Flame went on parade through Mexico City.
The Mexican leg of the Flame’s journey included a visit to a community centre catering to less privileged youth in Iztapalapa; Ecoguarda Centre - a place dedicated to teaching Mexicans about protecting their environment; and Hidalgo Garden in Coyoacán, a town that is popular with artists and musicians.
The Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame climaxed at the Government Palace of Mexico City, where the Flamewas lit and passed to Mexico City, representing the Americas.
The Flame then proceeded to Zocalo, the main square in the heart of the historic centre of Mexico City.
“Mexico was the first Latin-American host of the Olympic Games in 1968. Along with that, we saw the first female athlete, Enriqueta Basilio, to light the Olympic cauldron" noted Mr Ser Miang NG, Chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee, in his speech to kick off celebrations.
"Through the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame, we hope to connect and inspire the youth of the Americas to continue to embrace and live the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect” he added.
Mexico's fiesta featured a Singapore Showcase extravaganza with a line-up that included Ethnicity, an ethnic fusion pop band, singer Erick Guansing and Singapore Idol finalist Gayle Nerva.
The crowd was also treated to fancy footwork by “The Roses”, a spunky all-girl hip hop group and Singapore’s own “Football Freestylers” who combine football and dance.
The Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame is a 13-day odyssey to celebration cities, representing five continents, around the world.
The Flame arrives in Singapore on 6 August for a traditional six-day torch relay around the island nation before the torch ignites the cauldron of the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games, during the Opening Ceremony of the inaugural games.
Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games mascots in Mexico City
SYOGOC Chairman, Ng Ser Miang (C) carrying the lantern with YOG flame, with Teo Ser Luck, MCYS Senior Parliamentary Secretary (R) in Mexico City (YOPS Photo)
Channel NewsAsia
Aug 2, 2010
By Leonard Lim
MANUKAU CITY (Auckland) - THERE was sweet-smelling sandalwood incense to accompany modern Indian dance, traditional Malay dikir barat with a modern hip-hop twist, and a rich musical composition blending various instruments like the Chjinese er hu, Indian violin, and the saxophone.
It was the first time many of the approximately 800 local school-children had seen or heard such cultural performances, but that did not stop them from swaying and clapping their hands to the Singapore performance at the cavernous TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre on Monday.
The 20-minute long Singapore Showcase, which aims to present the versatility and diversity of the Republic through multi-cultural performances, was part of celebrations to mark the Youth Olympic Flame's fourth stop in its journey around the world.
Similar shows - from football freestylers juggling balls with their legs and head to gyrating hip-hop dancers - were put up in flame's previous stops of Berlin, Dakar, and Mexico City.
"It was a remarkable experience, there's no better way to showcase Singapore than through the arts," said 38-year-old Kavita Krishnan, the creative director of Maya Dance Theatre.
She, Khairul Shahrin and Sufri Juwahir fuse traditional Asian dance with modern techniques and forms, and were one of the groups who performed here under a partnership between the Ministry of Information, Communication, and the Arts and the YOG organisers.
The two-hour celebration's highlight was the lighting of the community cauldron by YOG-bound sailor Elise Beavis and the decorated Olympic medallist Sir John Walker.
In a show of Manukau's ethnic diversity, flags of all of Oceania's 17 National Olympic Committees had earlier been carried in by local students who hailed from the respective countries.
International Olympic Committee vice-president and YOG organising chief Ng Ser Miang, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan, Manukau Mayor Len Brown and New Zealand Olympic Committee president Mike Stanley were among the guests present.
Mr Stanley wished the country's 54 YOG athletes, which includes World Junior Boxing Championships bronze medallist Joseph Parker, all the best in Singapore.
He added: "For some these Games will be a stepping stone to greater things and possible representation in London 2012 and Rio 2016 and beyond."
The Singapore delegation leaves for Seoul by chartered flight at about 11pm local time (7pm Singapore time) on Monday. The flame will arrive in Singapore on Thursday, ahead of the Aug 14 opening ceremony at the Marina Bay floating platform.
About 3,600 athletes between the ages of 14 and 18 will compete across 26 sports.
The Singapore showcase in perform during the flame welcoming ceremony at Telstra Centre in Auckland, New Zealand. -- PHOTOS: YOGOC/ LUI SIU WAI
The Straits Times
Aug 3, 2010
IT SOARS to a height of 6.65m and weighs an impressive 3 tonnes.
Titled 'The Wind And Wings', this stainless steel sculpture on the grounds of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was handcrafted by sculptor Yeo Chee Kiong and his team of 10.
The 40-year-old was commissioned by the university to make it and had only about two months to do so. It is to commemorate the university as the world's first Youth Olympic Village and was officially unveiled by President S R Nathan on Monday night.
In between teaching classes at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Yeo flew three times a week for 88 days to Xiamen in China, where the forging foundry was located, to literally hammer the work into shape.
He says: 'It's quite a challenging piece because you have to use your hands and hammer to forge it out of stainless steel and work out every single detail.'
The sculpture is made of top-grade stainless steel imported from Finland and features Yeo's signature bulbous forms. The work glows with multiple colours at night, thanks to seven light-emitting diode lights at the base of the work.
Titled 'The Wind And Wings', this stainless steel sculpture on the grounds of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) was handcrafted by sculptor Yeo Chee Kiong and his team of 10. -- PHOTO: NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
The Straits Times
Aug 4, 2010
By Chan U-Gene
SINGAPORE stand a medal chance in all 26 sports at the Youth Olympic Games.
So said Singapore's YOG chef de mission James Wong at yesterday's '3 Cheers for Team Singapore' activity at Scape Youth Park.
'At this age-group (14-18), there is not much difference in standards. We stand a chance in all 26 sports.
'We need to give our athletes the belief, and let them work their magic.'
And, if Team Singapore were to excel at the Aug 14-26 Games, home-ground advantage will play a crucial role.
Said Wong: 'I can tell you this from first-hand experience during the 1993 South-east Asia Games. With adrenalin pumping, we will perform very well on home ground, and the athletes will multiply their efforts.'
Singapore played host to the 1993 SEA Games and discus-thrower Wong won the first of his nine SEA Games gold medals then. Singapore also harvested a bumper 164 medals - 50 golds, 40 silvers and 74 bronzes.
He added: 'The pressure will be there... Our athletes must enjoy and soak up the intensity and atmosphere, and turn it on when the time comes.'
Agreeing, Singapore's volleyball team captain Joelle Lim, 17, said: 'As host, we are used to the climactic conditions.
'Also, our friends and families will be in the crowd, so it will be a huge morale booster.'
At yesterday's event, Joelle and her teammates together with the boys' YOG handball team were treated to an open-top bus ride, courtesy of Cheers.
The 30-minute ride along Orchard Road was an initiative to drum up support among Singaporeans for the YOG.
Later, the athletes were welcomed by a party of more than 200 supporters, including students from Nanyang Polytechnic, Nanyang Junior College and staff members of NTUC FairPrice and Cheers.
Said Seah Kian Peng, chief executive officer of NTUC FairPrice: 'Today, let us inspire all Singaporeans to show their support for the Games, as we cheer the athletes on for a good game.'
Urging Singaporeans to come out in full force in support of Team Singapore, Seah likened the home-ground advantage to the '12th player' in football.
He said: 'We have 12 players against 11 players... We must make our voices heard.'
Members of the YOG girls' volleyball team (above), boys' handball team and NTUC FairPrice staff taking a ride on the hippo bus around the city to garner support for the YOG. -- ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM
The Straits Times
Aug 4, 2010
By Lee Min Kok
SIX-YEAR-OLD Syed Ilhan has dreams of emulating Olympic pole vaulter Sergey Bubka. The Ukrainian, an Olympic champion, was the first man to clear six metres in the pole vault.
But Ilhan's targets are a little more modest. For now, he is just aiming to jump a height of six metres on the trampoline.
Under the watchful eyes of his mother, Nora Noorashikin, 35, little Ilhan was trying out trampoline bungee jumping (adapted from the pole vault event) at Changi Airport's 'Challenge Your Limits' sports carnival yesterday.
'It was hard, but I liked it,' exclaimed the pint-sized kindergarten student.
The Youth Olympic Games-themed sports carnival from Aug 1-28 features interactive games such as boxing and football at Terminal 3's Departure Hall and the Departure Transit Malls of all three main terminals.
All the games are free, bar trampoline bungee jumping at T3's Departure Hall. Shoppers have to spend a minimum of $10 to be entitled for a go on it.
Participants will be given souvenirs, while those who break the pre-set targets of each game will be presented with special gold medals.
Said a Changi Airport Group spokesman: 'The sports carnival celebrates Singapore's hosting of the YOG and aims to recreate the action and excitement of the Games.'
Besides the month-long carnival, preparations to welcome the 5,000 athletes and officials are also on track.
Eye-catching banners and stickers bearing the YOG mascots, Lyo and Merly, adorn the walls and pillars of the terminal halls.
There will also be live screenings of YOG competitions at selected areas across the terminals.
In all, 350 volunteers and staff will be deployed across the three terminals round-the-clock, over three shifts, to greet the arriving guests and lend a friendly helping hand.
To facilitate the smooth immigration clearance of the athletes, two dedicated lanes, dubbed 'Green Olympic Lanes', will be set aside for YOG-accredited guests. Weary travellers will also be whisked away by buses within half an hour of landing to the Youth Olympic Village and hotels across the island for their much-needed rest.
All these were revealed by Major Mark Tan, head of arrival and departure operations, Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee, at a media preview yesterday.
He said the peak periods for athletes and officials are expected to be from Aug 10-14, when they arrive, and Aug 26-29, when they leave for home.
Volunteer Ruengjaruwatana Jiraporn, 23, said it is a dream come true for her to be involved in a major event in Singapore.
The third-year Nanyang Technological University student will be one of the first faces the athletes see when they alight from the plane.
'A smile is very important, it makes our visitors feel at home,' she said.
NIKON MOMENT: Kids trying out the bungee challenge, one of the attractions at the YOG-themed sports carnival, at Changi Airport this month. The carnival aims to raise awareness of the Games among local and international passengers. -- ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
The Straits Times
Aug 4, 2010
Korean schoolchildren at the airport greeting Ng Ser Miang (left), chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee, when he arrived with the YOG flame in Seoul, South Korea, yesterday.
Today, the flame will be taken to various sites, including the Olympic Park, around the Korean capital. The flame leaves Seoul for Singapore tomorrow
PHOTO: XINHUA/SYOGOC-POOL
Channel NewsAsia
06 August 2010 0005 hrs
By Favian Ng
SINGAPORE: It has been a turbulent year for the Singapore Under-15 football team but without looking back, they have set their eyes firmly on their goal - a medal in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
It would be a tribute to head coach David Sivalingam who passed away after suffering a heart attack last November.
It would also be a credit to former Lions Kadir Yahaya who stepped in to take on the coaching reins in February and stabilised the team for the Youth Olympic Games.
With a new-found never-say-die spirit, the Under-15s have posted a series of positive results which they hope to cap with YOG wins that would mark their remarkable turnaround.
In all, 18 boys have been selected to represent Singapore in the football event at the inaugural games.
"We are aiming for at least a semi-final spot," said Jonathan Tan who plays left wing in the team.
"We are looking for a medal, preferably gold," added midfielder Hanafi Akbar.
Their training sessions are anything but child's play. The boys take on the field almost everyday, competing with the older Under-18s most weekends and sometimes, head overseas to take on bigger opponents.
The decision to play against their older counterparts was to prepare them for physical encounters which they can to expect when they take on the likes of Zimbabwe and Montenegro during the tournament group stages.
The occasional bruises were well-healed with a triumph over English giants Tottenham Hotspur during a recent trip to London.
"We played against the likes of West Ham United, and Tottenham Hotspurs when we were in London. Those are really big clubs but we showed that we managed to keep up with them. We actually won (against) Spurs 3-1 and lost narrowly to West Ham 2-1," said Jonathan.
The boys were so good, midfielder Hanafi was singled out by Tottenham Academy Manager John McDermott for delivering a sublime equaliser for the young Singapore team.
Despite two victories and three losses, coach Kadir acknowledges that there is still room for improvements.
"We will need to work on our focus, especially late into the game. In the game with Essex County, we threw away our 2-1 lead, conceding two late goals as a result of poor concentration. This is something we have to rectify before YOG," said Kadir.
As for now, he is sticking to his earlier target – a semi-final spot.
"One win and a draw will be safe but it is better to be group champions so that we can avoid Bolivia," he explains.
He was expectedly less open about his potential star players when the tournament kicks off on August 12 at Jalan Besar Stadium.
"(Laughs). There are a couple of players but I won’t say anything. You have to go down to watch them play," Kadir said.
The 'software' generation
Coaching the Under-15s isn't a novelty for Kadir. Back in 2005, he was in charge of the same age group which starred Hariss Harun.
Reflecting on his experience, he singled out one significant difference between his past and current players.
"In 2005, I was dealing with hardware players. Players like Hariss Harun were physically tough and strong. They can fight in any conditions. It wasn't a problem to them.
"Now, I'm dealing with the software generation. They are not as physically strong and there are too much distraction from football. Handheld games, PS 2, iPod, as compared to five years ago," he lamented.
He went on to also aptly describe his charges as the 'Google generation'.
"Intelligence-wise, they are very good. For instance, during our workshop on nutrition, they calculated very quickly about how much protein and carbohydrates they should take.
"During our Australia training trip, I casually asked them where they would like to visit during their rest days and they listed a number of attractions immediately. They got all their information from Google," Kadir replied with a wry smile.
What's next after YOG
Like any other coach, Kadir has already mapped out the future for his teen team.
"A lot of them have the potential to make it to the next level but they need guidance. For this batch, I'm looking at a number of players to be fast-tracked for the next two levels. I can see the potential in them," he said.
Another option that he might choose is to keep the whole batch intact and move them up the next level together.
There is little doubt that there's promising talent from the young men under his tutelage, who only lack one element, says Kadir.
"For these footballers, it's all about Vitamin D and discipline. If you have it, you can definitely make it."
Singapore Under-15 Team for 2010 Youth Olympic Games
Goalkeepers:
Fashah Iskandar, Hamzah Fazil
Defenders:
Syazwan Radhi, Jeffery Lightfoot (Captain), Illyas Lee, Dhukhilan Jeevamani, Irfan Asyraf, Firdaus Sham
Midfielders:
Amirul Iskandar, Ammirul Emmran, Brandon Koh, Hanafi Akbar, Sunny Ng, Jonathan Tan, Bryan Neubronner
Forwards:
Syazwan Zin, Muhaimin Suhaimi, Hazim Fazil
From left: Jonathan Tan, Jeffery Lightfoot, Dhukhilan Jeevamani, Ammirul Emmran and Hanafi Akbar
TODAY
05:55 AM Aug 06, 2010
by Ng Jing Yng
SINGAPORE - It is not just the students who are eager to get a glimpse of the action at the coming Youth Olympic Games (YOG). Many employees are keeping their fingers crossed that they will be able to attend as well.
With days to go before the start of the historic event, some 224,000 tickets - or 70 per cent of the total on sale - have been reportedly sold, with about 87,000 going to students.
And companies which have bought tickets are organising corporate outings to the YOG for their staff; some are using the tickets as motivation.
At Rezt and Relax Interior, a local interior design and renovation start-up which has 40 workers, five top sales employees will be given half a day off to watch the swimming event.
Pointing out that the YOG is a "momentous occasion which fosters unity amongst us Singaporeans", company managing director John Foo said it "would like to not only be part of this proud Singaporean achievement but also spread the enthusiasm to other Singaporeans".
Other companies, which are part of the YOG's marketing partners scheme, have also purchased tickets and staff will be given time off to watch the contests.
At McDonald's, employees have been given a red YOG attire as a memento. The fast-food company has also purchased 100 tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies to be disbursed as staff incentive.
Apart from using work performance to determine who gets the tickets, companies such as Visa are using more creative ways to drum up employee interest in the YOG.
Visa country manager for Singapore and Brunei Meranda Chan said the firm, which has about 750 staff here, has bought thousands of tickets which can be won through weekly quizzes on the YOG. On Aug 11, former Olympian gold medalist Kerri Strug, who took part in her first Olympics at age 14, will share her experience at a staff tea session.
For Pilot Pen, its staff will attend the opening and closing ceremonies. The company has bought 75 tickets, which means all of their 33 employees will get at least one opportunity to attend their preferred sports events.
Image 1 of 2 enlarge this photoMcDonald's crew having some friendly competition to win tickets for the YOG's opening and closing ceremonies McDonald's crew having some friendly competition to win tickets for the YOG's opening and closing ceremonies
Copyright © MediaCorp Press Ltd
taneepak
08-06-2010, 01:54 AM
Is this forum for players to seek each other out to play badminton or a platform for the YOG?
Channel NewsAsia
06 August 2010 1748 hrs
SINGAPORE : Spirits were high at Changkat Primary School on Friday as students combined celebrations for both National Day and the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
Olympic mascots Lyo and Merly put in a special appearance at the event.
And this being the inaugural YOG, the school has printed a commemorative book with students' thoughts on Olympic values - Friendship, Excellence and Respect - as well as pictures of activities to mark the event.
Suzanna Bambang, Head of Department, English, Changkat Primary School, said: "We want to document our journey and show to everyone this is our way, Changkat's way of celebrating it."
Chan Chee Meng, student, Changkat Primary School, said: "I feel proud for our school as this book can represent our school's participation in the YOG."
The Straits Times
Aug 7, 2010
By Leonard Lim
PERFORMANCES bursting with youthful vigour and exuberance set the backdrop for a fitting welcome for the Youth Olympic Flame last night.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) football field was the stage for a kaleidoscope of colour and music, with the college's six residential halls each parading floats representing the cities where the flame had stopped on the way here.
Ancient Greek costumes, Mexican sombreros, the blood-curdling New Zealand haka, and noisy vuvuzelas were all part of the elaborate displays on the flame's first night out in Singapore that tied in with NUS' annual Rag and Flag day.
The visual feast culminated with guest of honour President S R Nathan lighting the cauldron with Youth Olympic Games (YOG) swimmer Amanda Lim and hockey player Silas Abdul Razak, as fireworks lit up the clear night sky.
Mr Ng Ser Miang, who chairs the Games' organising committee and played a pivotal role in Singapore's decision to bid for the event, had minutes earlier arrived with the flame in a safety lantern on an open-top bus, to boisterous cheers from the 3,000-strong audience.
Mr Nathan said: 'The YOG has been about individuals and organisations stepping forward, actively participating and in the process realising what they can achieve when there is commitment, when there is dedication and when there is passion.'
President Nathan, who is also the NUS chancellor, also sounded an important note to Singaporeans, with a week to go before the inaugural Games' opening ceremony on Aug 14 at the Marina Bay floating platform.
'In our YOG journey, let us remind ourselves, that it is not just about hosting a successful event; it is also about pursuing our passions, being the best in whatever we choose to do, and making a difference in our own lives as well as that of others around us.'
Since being lit in Ancient Olympia on July 23, the flame has travelled to Berlin, Dakar in Senegal, Mexico City, Auckland and Seoul - five cities in as many continents.
Deputy Prime Minister and Singapore National Olympic Council president Teo Chee Hean and Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan were among the VIPs yesterday. Dr Balakrishnan said: 'Look at the response of the crowd, clearly it was a special moment for them when the flame came in and the cauldron was lit.
'If we can sustain this pace of engagement and passion, it will be truly wonderful.'
The Games, which will cost the Government an estimated $387 million to stage, will see 3,600 athletes arrive here, to compete across 26 sports.
Mr Ng, who accompanied the flame on its entire international leg, said: 'We've finished one journey but the real start line is on Aug 14.
'The Games, being the first, will be a legacy for Singapore and the Olympic movement. We've always been an international city but this will make us even more international.'
ISLANDWIDE RELAY
Over the next few days, 2,400 torchbearers aged between 11 and 82 will carry the YOG torch in an islandwide relay. They include celebrities Joanne Peh and Randall Tan, Singapore's first Everest team members Khoo Swee Chiow and David Lim, and 77th Street founder Elim Chew.
The 305km route will take the flame through all five districts - Central, South-east, South-west, North-east and North-west - and all the constituencies.
Today, the relay begins at CHIJ Toa Payoh, where Education Minister Ng Eng Hen is the guest of honour. It ends with an evening of celebrations at Nanyang Polytechnic, with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong lighting the cauldron.
Each night, the YOG flame will be taken back to the Games Village at Nanyang Technological University. The flame will be used to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony.
President Nathan lighting the cauldron with hockey athlete Silas Abdul Razak (second from right), swimmer Amanda Lim (second from left). With them, Senior Parliamentary Secretary Teo Ser Luck (left) and Minister for Community Development Youth and Sports, Vivian Balakrishnan (centre), and Mr Goh Kee Nguan, CEO of Singapore Youth Olympics Committee (right). -- PHOTO: AP
Channel News Asia
07 August 2010 1523 hrs
By Claire Huang
SINGAPORE: The journey of the Youth Olympic Flame has officially started in Singapore.
The torch relay started at CHIJ Toa Payoh where hundreds of students, teachers and parents gathered to celebrate the occasion.
The torch was lit at exactly 8.35am.
16-year-old Tay Shi Pei was thrilled when she received the torch from Education Minister Ng Eng Hen.
"When the Minister (Ng Eng Hen) passed me the torch I wasn't thinking of anything because I just couldn't think; I just blanked out by the flashes and stuff. But I could feel like it's really overwhelming and I feel the excitement just bursting out.
"I didn't feel the rain when I was running, so only after that, somehow the rain came and then I would say it went pretty well because like, I think we ran as per normal and everyone adjusted really well, so a spontaneous experience reaction."
Despite the rain, many in the crowd stood on the open field in their ponchos, trying to catch a glimpse of the eight torchbearers as they made their way round the school track.
At about 9am, the torch was brought to the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) where about 800 supporters, including MCYS staff and family members, extended a warm welcome and watched performances.
The supporters packed the building as they welcomed deputy secretary of MCYS, Mr Chew Hock Yong, as he ran in with the torch.
The torch relay continued along Thomson Road, MacRitchie Park, Marymount Road.
The morning leg of the relay ended at Raffles Institution at noon.
MediaCorp personalities such as actress Joanne Peh and news presenter Steve Chia also pitched in.
Over six days, 2,400 torch-bearers will bring the flame to different corners of the island, covering a total distance of over 300 kilometres.
Next Saturday, the Flame will be lit at the Marina Bay Floating Platform in the official opening of the world's first Youth Olympic Games.
Supporters line the road and a nearby overhead bridge in the rain at Toa Payoh, Singapore on the first day of the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame. (YOPS photo)
taneepak
08-08-2010, 05:00 AM
www.yawningbread.wordpress.com/2010/07/31/alienation-scores-gold-at-youth-olympic-games/#more-1554
Channel NewsAsia
08 August 2010 2226 hrs
By Hoe Yeen Nie
SINGAPORE : Spirits were high at ITE College East on Sunday evening, as over 5,000 students and local residents welcomed the Youth Olympic Flame.
The celebrations rounded off the day's torch relay, which will resume on Tuesday, after National Day.
Cheers rang out across the stadium, as torch bearers took the flame on a lap around the track.
They included ITE student Jamie Emma Wee, Singapore's only female on the youth weightlifting squad.
The torch was then passed to Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who did the honours.
In his speech, Mr Goh spoke of the challenges many of the young athletes had to overcome, and said the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is a celebration of the drive and abilities of youths.
He said: "There are 127 other athletes who will represent Team Singapore in the YOG, each with his own story of hard work, sacrifice and passion for whatever sports they are taking part in.
"They represent the 'can-do' spirit of the new generation of Singaporeans, a generation that is prepared to live its dreams beyond the 5Cs."
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong
Channel NewsAsia
10 August 2010 1026 hrs
By Yvonne Yong
SINGAPORE: Come August 15, several young tennis players across the globe are going to be serving for gold at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.
These guys are the one ranked at the top of the sport in their own countries.
One of them is 18-year-old Stefanie Tan, Singapore's representative at the Games, but her path to the YOG has been a special one.
Though Singapore was granted a wildcard entry for tennis for being host nation, all players are still required to be placed within the top 150 rankings in order to qualify.
Ranked 234 among the juniors less than a year ago, Stefanie knew she had to work extra hard if she wanted to make it to the games.
Since then, she not only has been training really hard in Singapore but also took a year off from school to travel the world playing tournaments to boost her rankings.
The gusty teenager took part in no fewer than ten competitions in countries such as the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia.
"The cut-off for this YOG was really difficult because there is a draw of 32, so I'm really happy to have qualified because I had to play a lot of tournaments this year. I took a year off school so I could travel and play more to get my ranking points. In the end, it was very good that I could qualify and I'm very excited about that," said Stefanie.
The favourites in the tennis competition are the two Russian girls in the top ten, as well as a Japanese and a Hungarian.
Though unsure about her chances, Stefanie rates herself as the underdog coming into the tournament but remains hopeful that the home support will give an edge over her competitors.
Boyan Hadjisotirov, Head Coach of Team Singapore YOG Tennis, believes Stefanie will put up a good fight.
"Stefanie has a very good forehand. When the forehand is working, she can really do a lot of damage with it. She can put the ball away, or put the opponents in tough situations.
"We're now sharpening up what follows after that, once that big forehand is delivered - then the game so that she takes advantage and finishes the point," he said.
According to Boyan, the only thing that separates Stefanie from the cream of the crop is her lack of experience.
"The only thing that separates her from the top ten players is experience at that level. Other than that, she's proven. She's played against a couple of them and her level is not that far off," he said.
Regardless of how well Stefanie does at the Games, she is definitely on that 'special path' to realize her dreams.
For the 18-year-old, the Youth Olympic Games will be one more event that will bring her closer to her goal – to play professional tennis one day.
And if her smashing forehand has anything to do with it, it's definitely not ending here.
Stefanie Tan
The Straits Times
Aug 10, 2010
By Lin Xinyi
At 10.52am on Tuesday, the first Youth Olympic Games village (YOV) was officially opened.
The milestone event was marked by a ceremony on the campus grounds of Nanyang Technological University, which will play hosts to some 5,000 athletes during the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
Mr Ng Ser Miang, chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games organising committee, said at the opening: 'Like all Olympic Games, the Games village is the very heart of the Games... In the case of the YOV, it will offer a unique experience as it will be the first one designed to integrate sport, culture and education, which mirrors the YOG vision'.
The Zimbabwe team were the first to check into the YOG after touching down in Singapore at 5.37am on Tuesday.
Singapore athletes from three sports - handball, football and diving - will also move into their new home for the next two weeks from Tuesday.
The Straits Times
Aug 11, 2010
Soaked by the rain, Youth Olympic Games fan Low Wei Jie, 12, ran 15km yesterday to take pictures of torchbearers in the flame relay. It took a while before everyone noticed the unknown boy who became the day's surprise star.
By Jonathan Wong
THERE were two constants during yesterday's morning session of the Youth Olympic Flame torch relay.
One was the flame itself, as it weaved its way through Sengkang, Punggol and Hougang. The other was schoolboy Low Wei Jie, 12.
Dressed in an orange T-shirt, blue bermudas and flip-flops, he clutched his digital camera and stuck with the relay.
He ran. And ran. And ran. Over 21/2 hours, he covered almost 15km, undeterred by a heavy downpour along the way.
'When I read in the newspapers that the flame was coming here, I just wanted to see it for myself, and follow it,' explained the drenched Compassvale Primary School pupil afterwards. 'I might never see it again.'
His day had started bright and early at Greendale Secondary School in Punggol, where Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean had passed the torch to Greendale student Yogesh Kumar, whose tag '3001' meant he was the first torchbearer of the third day of the relay.
At first, nobody paid any attention to the boy in the orange T-shirt. An hour later, however, the mystery runner started to get noticed.
'Wasn't that boy present at the start?' asked a cameraman.
The boy would disappear from sight, only to reappear from among supporters lining the streets to snap pictures as torchbearers handed the flame from one to the other.
'I can't believe it, that boy is back again!' exclaimed someone in the relay entourage.
He kept pace right up until the 122nd torchbearer jogged into Hougang Stadium, where the relay paused for a 15-minute break.
It was at the stadium carpark that Wei Jie soon found himself the centre of attention as reporters, officials and Youth Olympic Games volunteers made a beeline for him.
'None of this was planned,' said the Primary 6 pupil. 'I didn't know I was going to run all this way.'
He said he wanted pictures for his scrapbook, and his favourites were shots of two schoolmates who were torchbearers. 'I'm sure they'll like the photos,' he said.
His morning's adventure was not without some pain. His flip-flops may have held up, but his feet hurt, and there were bloodied scratches on his right ankle.
Then he discovered to great consternation that the camera he had borrowed from his parents was not waterproof and had jammed.
'There are other pictures in it that my mother wanted to keep,' he said. 'I hope she doesn't scold me!'
An only child, Wei Jie lives with his parents in Rivervale. They had given him permission to follow the relay, but were surprised to learn how his morning turned out.
His mother Cindy, 45, an operator in a logistics company, said she got worried when she called home and he did not answer the telephone. 'He had said he was just going to run as far as Sengkang and I thought he forgot to take his house key,' she said.
As for the camera, she said: 'Never mind if it's broken. We can always replace it. I'm just happy he's okay.'
At Hougang Stadium, Wei Jie was doing much better than okay.
As word of his solo trek spread, strangers came up to tell him they thought he was something special.
The six support runners who had followed the flame posed for pictures with him, and handed him a spare torch to hold. It was the first time he had touched the symbol of the Youth Olympic Games.
Even the Traffic Police officers who had accompanied the relay got off their motorcycles when they spotted him and came over to do some back-slapping.
'They called me a star,' said Wei Jie.
Compassvale Primary School pupil Low Wei Jie holding the spare torch of the Youth Olympic Flame as he poses with the relay's six support runners for the north-east district. -- PHOTO: ST READER
Channel NewsAsia
10 August 2010 2202 hrs
By Patwant Singh
SINGAPORE: The first full contingent taking part in the Youth Olympic Games has arrived at Changi Airport on Tuesday morning.
Upon touchdown, the team comprising 27 athletes and 11 officials from Zimbabwe headed for the Games Village at Nanyang Technological University to a simple welcome.
The Youth Olympic Village held an official opening ceremony later in the morning as it threw open its doors to some 5,000 athletes and officials.
The other full contingent that arrived was the team from Russia.
Entrance to YOG Games Village at NTU Campus
Channel NewsAsia
Aug 10, 2010
YOG Torch Relay takes to water on Tuesday
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YOG Torch Relay takes to water on Tuesday (javascript:V205('100810_sg_yogtorch.flv');)http://www.channelnewsasia.com/images/shim.gif
SINGAPORE : It is Day Three of the Youth Olympic Games Torch Relay - and the Youth Olympic Flame has taken to the water!
The highlight on Tuesday evening was when the Flame was being taken onto a dragonboat at the Bedok Reservoir.
Earlier, the Flame travelled through the North East districts, such as Punggol, Hougang, Pasir Ris and Tampines.
Tuesday's relay ended on a celebratory note, at nearby Temasek Polytechnic, where Foreign Minister George Yeo lit the cauldron.
The 305-kilometre relay route will see the Flame passing through all five community districts in Singapore over six days.
It will end with a celebration at the Marina Bay on Friday
The Straits Times
Aug 11, 2010
Confident Zimbabwe football team boast of thrashing Singapore in opener
By Terrence Voon
RIDING on the team bus with Zimbabwe's Youth Olympic Games football squad is like facing a pack of hungry reporters. The questions just keep coming.
How tall are the players from the Singapore football team? How much do iPhones cost here? And is it true that chewing gum is banned in Singapore?
For a good 40 minutes yesterday morning, the tables were turned on this reporter when he hitched a ride with the 15-year-olds from Changi Airport to the YOG Village at Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
After a gruelling 11-hour flight from Johannesburg, the assumption was that most of the 18-member squad would be napping. At the very least, they should be bleary-eyed.
Wrong on both counts. The boys simply could not sit still, clambering over seats and pressing their faces against the bus windows for a closer view of landmarks like the Singapore Flyer and the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort.
Questions about local cuisine, the weather, shopping and the standard of Singapore football dominated discussions as the bus wound its way across the island.
Later, it was revealed that this was the first time that any of them had been outside of their country. Just 24 hours ago, most of them had never even been on a plane.
'Your country is beautiful,' said captain and top scorer Ackim Mpofu, his eyes locked on the sea and greenery off East Coast Park. 'And there are so many trees on the road. I've never seen anything like this before.'
These days, Zimbabwe - a landlocked country in southern Africa - is better known for its political and economic troubles than for its natural flora and fauna.
Their football story is just as underwhelming. Up till 2004, the Warriors - as the national football team are known back home - had not qualified for the African Cup of Nations.
The World Cup remains a distant dream and, just two weeks ago, the chief executive of their football association was suspended over match-fixing allegations.
But despite their lack of pedigree, the Zimbabwean boys are not short on confidence. After confirming that the Singapore players - whom they will meet in Friday's opening match - were not physically bigger than themselves, the boasts came thick and fast.
'If they're the same size as us, then we've already won,' said striker Mncedisi Gumede. Added playmaker Lucky Ndlela: 'We're going to win 5-0 - minimum.'
When informed that Singapore had beaten Tottenham Hotspur's youth side 3-2 in a friendly match, the boys were unimpressed.
Never mind that they have trained together for only six months, or that the 39 goals they racked up during their five warm-up games came against youth squads in the country's domestic league.
The Zimbabweans are here to win - though they do have more than just sports on their minds. Making new friends, checking out prices of branded sportswear and sampling local cuisine are on their YOG checklist.
And, if they do end up winning the competition, a handsome reward is in store for the boys back home.
'I can't say what it will be, but we will reward our athletes if they do well,' said coach Dumaza Dube. 'The aim is for our footballers to gain experience and groom them for our future World Cup and Olympic squads.'
Coming from a country with an unemployment rate of about 90 per cent, many of the boys are hoping the YOG will be their springboard for a lucrative future in professional football.
'We want to make Africa proud, especially after the bad World Cup for the African teams,' said midfielder Devylin Hencil. 'We're going to start by beating Singapore.'
The Zimbabwean boys' football team being greeted by their chef de mission Busi Chindove (right) upon their arrival at the YOG village yesterday. -- PHOTO: SPH-SYOGOC/KEVIN LIM
The Straits Times
Aug 12, 2010
By Lin Xinyi
IT MIGHT be the fourth day of the Youth Olympic Games torch relay. But the flame continued to capture the imagination of the public, and in particular, those in the North West of Singapore on Wednesday.
From the moment the flame was lit at Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) by guest-of-honour Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and passed to HCI pole vaulter Sean Lim, every torchbearer was cheered on.
Along Bukit Timah Road, construction workers working on the upcoming train stations stopped to take pictures, while students from schools along the route also lined the streets to cheer the torchbearers on.
The flame is making its way to the Republic Polytechnic, where the community celebration will be held.
From the moment the flame was lit at Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) by guest-of-honour Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and passed to HCI pole vaulter Sean Lim, every torchbearer was cheered on. -- PHOTO: SPH-SYOGOC/Kent Chow
Channel NewsAsia
11 August 2010 2156 hrs
By Patwant Singh
SINGAPORE : 20,000 volunteers will be involved in the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. But some are going the extra mile, as they are actually flying in from overseas to help out with the sporting spectacle.
21-year-old Alexander Slyzhov is looking forward to the Youth Olympics. He took a 10-hour flight from Russia to volunteer as an interpreter at the Games.
The university student is taking a break from studies for his Singapore experience.
He said: "Actually my teacher told me that Singapore needs volunteers for the YOG, so I decided to just write an e-mail and apply for it. I think it's a very good opportunity for me to meet new friends and be part of this first-ever event."
The Russian's parents support his move and even paid for his airfare. While in Singapore, he will stay at the Youth Olympic Village.
Another adventurous volunteer is Danella Lei, a Chinese-Brazilian. The 19 year old, who is studying in Macau, will provide interpreting services in Portuguese.
She will stay with her sister, who is in Singapore and who had told her about the Games.
She said: "I am really interested in sports, so I want to get the job here to know how it works. And I want to experience how is the life - working as a volunteer in the Olympic Games - so in the future I can get a chance to work in Brazil again."
Amaya Tanaka-Galdos is another 19 year old with a global ancestry. She is half-Spanish and half-Japanese, and carries an Argentinian and Venezuelan passport.
In Singapore for the past 16 years, she will head to England to further her studies after her YOG stint - where she will be an emcee, announcer and Spanish interpreter.
She said: "The YOG went out to recruit at my old school, which is the French School, so I know a lot of volunteers who used to be in my school. I'm no longer there, but I know them and I met some volunteers who flew in as well."
While this group of volunteers may be experts in their own areas, they were still provided with some training by the organisers, after which they will be deployed at various locations - like the Games Village and Main Media Centre.
Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony ticket
The Straits Times
Aug 12, 2010
By Lin Xinyi
THE Youth Olympic Games fever is set to hit the South West of Singapore.
The fifth day of the Singapore leg of the journey of the Youth Olympic flame began at Safti Military Institute on Thursday morning.
'The enthusiasm is very real and it's infectious," said Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the launch, where he was the guest-of-honour.
'It's still early days but everybody who has been involved in making the YOG a special experience in Singapore has shown the world what Singapore can do on a scale like this.'
The flame will pass through Jurong, Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Clementi and Commonwealth on Thursday.
Channel NewsAsia
12 August 2010 1500 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Singapore HeritageFest is taking advantage of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to launch an exhibition aimed at youths to learn about the cultures of other countries.
The exhibition called "Project U & I" features 193 pairs of dolls made by students from 190 schools.
They're the fruit of their "globetrotting" as they researched the lifestyles and cultures of the 132 countries taking part in the YOG.
Opening the exhibition at Compass Point, Parliamentary Secretary for Information, Communications and the Arts, Sam Tan, noted that the project had helped the students appreciate other cultures more and understand how everyone shares common aspirations.
Mr Tan said learning and appreciating our history and multicultural heritage is not only relevant, it also gives us a sense of identity and emotional anchors.
This is especially so when many Singaporeans are now global citizens, studying and working abroad.
A nine-storey YOG banner on the exterior of the Community Development, Youth and Sports Ministry (MCYS)
Channel NewsAsia
12 August 2010 1315 hrs
SINGAPORE: SMRT says it will add over 300 more train trips on August 14 and 26 - the opening and closing ceremonies of the Youth Olympic Games - to bring spectators and participants home after the events.
For the Opening Ceremony on Saturday, close to 200 train trips will be added along the North-South, East-West and Circle Lines after 10pm to shorten waiting time.
Train services will also be extended that day, with the last northbound, eastbound and westbound trains leaving City Hall MRT Station at 1.30am.
The last trains towards Dhoby Ghaut and Marymount on the Circle Line will be adjusted accordingly, to allow commuters to make their transfers at Bishan interchange station.
Likewise, the last Bukit Panjang LRT trains will be adjusted to allow commuters to make their transfers from Choa Chu Kang MRT Station.
For the Closing Ceremony on August 26, more than 100 train trips will be added on the North-South, East-West and Circle Lines after 9.30pm.
TODAY
05:55 AM Aug 12, 2010
by Low Lin Fhoong
SINGAPORE - They came in different sizes and nationalities - from Malaysia and Malta to Myanmar and the Cayman Islands.
Some stretched, others warmed the muscles with a jog round the track, there were also athletes who practised throwing the shot put at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) sports complex in the sweltering mid-morning heat yesterday.
Anyone watching would have thought the track and field athletes were here for some friendly event, rather than the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. There was no hint of nerves from any of them.
Malaysian high jumper Navin Raj Subramaniam (picture), 17, who arrived on Tuesday, worked dutifully on his approach, visualising the perfect take-off under the watchful eyes of his coach.
Here with a 13-strong squad, Malaysia will field athletes in six sports at the Games - track and field (3), badminton (2), gymnastics (1), sailing (2), weightlifting (1), aquatics (2 swimmers, 2 divers).
Bukit Jalil Sports School student Navin's personal best in the high jump is 2.11m, which he achieved at the Perak Open last October. He considers himself among the medal contenders here.
Team-mates Ajmal Aiman Mat Hassan and Fahme Zam Zam Mehamad will do battle in the boys' 110m hurdles and pole vault, respectively, when the athletics programme gets underway on Tuesday at the Bishan Stadium.
The 1.90 metre-tall Navin narrowly missed out on first place at the Asian Area Qualification meet at Bishan in May, after posting a height of 2.08m. Taiwan's Hsiang Chin Hsien won the event (2.10m).
Navin blamed anxiety for his failure to win at the Asian meet, and his fifth-placed finish at the SEA Games in Laos last December. He made his international debut at last year's SEA Games and managed 2.05m.
The Segamat native told MediaCorp: "The SEA Games was my first international competition and I won't be so scared this time as I have more experience now. My target is to jump 2.15m here and I'm quite sure I will make the final if I hit that height."
Myanmar middle distance runner Swe Li Myint, 17, who will be competing in the 1,000m, was too shy and would only say that "everything here is fine" when approached. The country will be represented by a team of four in athletics, taekwondo, archery and weightlifting.
Team official San Tun said weightlifter Kay Khine was someone to look out for.
"According to statistics, her standard is 10th in the world for the 48kg category and she's also our junior champion," he said.
Malta's Tamara Vella (girls' 100m) and Marija Sciberras (girls' 100m hurdles) may not be ranked among the best, but the duo will wear their country's flag proudly.
The 17-year-olds, who were given wildcard entries to the Games, spent more than an hour working out at the NTU track.
They are part of a four-member contingent (athletics, judo, swimming) from one of Europe's smallest nations, with a population of just under 400,000.
The best friends are enjoying their time in Singapore and perked up at the mention of the Youth Olympic Village.
"I love the food there, because there are a lot of types and I get to eat my favourites - chicken and pizza," said former gymnast Tamara, whose personal best time is 12.80sec for the century sprint.
Added junior college student Marija: "I heard about Singapore from some relatives who have been here, and it's really very nice and clean. We even made some friends from England in the Village."
Sportinglife.com
13/08/10 03:22 BST
While the likes of Tom Daley head to the inaugural Youth Olympic Games as established global performers, for triathlete Andrew Hood the event will represent his first international competition.
The 18-year-old from Cupar in Fife did not even know he would be travelling out to Spain for the qualifying event last September until late on but a seventh-place finish was enough to book his place for the Games in Singapore, which begin on Saturday.
Now Hood, who is the only Scot in a 39-strong British team, has his sights set on a top-10 finish in the race on Monday.
"This is definitely the biggest race of my life. It's the first international one I've done," he said. "At the moment I'm not too nervous but I'm sure I will be over the weekend and definitely on Monday morning before the race.
"I'd love a top-10 finish, that would be pretty amazing. But it will definitely be a tough race and a lot of them are quick runners so it's going to be hard to get."
A big part of the experience for the young athletes is the chance to compete in a multi-sport event, and Hood has certainly had his appetite whetted for the real thing.
"I'm loving it," he said.
"I've never done anything like this before and it's pretty amazing meeting all these new people and learning about other sports that I knew nothing about. It gives you a good idea what the real Olympics is all about."
The teenager followed in his father's footsteps by taking up triathlon at the age of 12 having previously concentrated on swimming.
And he expects the first leg of Monday's race to prove crucial to the outcome.
He added: "The swim is in the sea, and it's been pretty choppy, so that's going to be tough. But the bike and the run course is totally flat, which suits me."
Triathlon is fast becoming a major sporting success story for Britain, with Alistair Brownlee the current world champion and a firm gold medal hope for 2012, while his younger brother Jonny has started to make his mark on the senior stage, too.
Hood said: "What the likes of the Brownlees have done is fantastic. I watched them at (the World Championship Series race in) Hyde Park a few weeks ago and it was great seeing them race at the Olympic venue."
Hood is hoping to make a leap forward of his own soon after securing his place at Stirling University, Triathlon Scotland's base, for this autumn and the 18-year-old already has his sights set on representing his country again at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.
He said: "That's why I've chosen Stirling. Hopefully I should start to progress pretty well because I'll be able to do more intensive training and there will be better coaching.
"I'm looking to build up to 2014 in Glasgow, that's probably my long-term aim."
Hood - sights on top-10 finish.
Channel NewsAsia
12 August 2010 2002 hrs
By Hoe Yeen Nie
SINGAPORE : Day five of the Youth Olympic Torch Relay took in the sights of the south-west district of Singapore.
One stop was Nanyang Technological University where post-graduate student Venkateshwaran Raman gamely completed his 100-metre stretch despite injuring his foot.
Mr Raman, who is a volunteer for the Games, had sprained his ankle during rehearsals for the opening ceremony.
He was one of 524 torch-bearers on Thursday.
"It was not so pleasant, but I think in the spirit of the Flame and the journey that's been going on - since 1936 in Berlin, and 2010 in Singapore for the first time - I'll do it," said Raman.
Muhamad Shaiful Nizam Shafie (front right) poses with Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam (from left) with the Youth Olympic Torch, joined by men from Singapore Armed Forces Training Institute.
Channel NewsAsia
12 August 2010 2246 hrs
By Hoe Yeen Nie and Shamir Osman
SINGAPORE: Competition at the Youth Olympic Games officially kicked off Thursday evening with girls' football.
The Iran-Turkey match took place at Jalan Besar Stadium.
The girls from Iran wore Fifa-approved attire - white cap and trousers -- in place of the traditional headscarves
The girls from Turkey showed their mettle early in the game, scoring in the sxith minute.
A second goal quickly followed in the 14th minute - except that it was for the wrong side - to level the score.
Iran grabbed the lead in the 16th minute but lost it by netting an own goal in the second half.
Turkey went on to win the match 4-2.
Iran's Taherkhani Behnaz (left) vies for the ball with Turkey's Barut Fatma (middle front) and team captain Goksu Yasam (right on ground)
TODAY
13 August 2010 0954 hrs
By May Seah,
SINGAPORE : As you follow the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) telecasts on TV, five friendly hosts will have you cheering along. They come prettily pre-packaged with a range of ages and expertise, and they're easy on the eye.
From 1pm to 8pm daily, Candice Miller and Paul Sng will host the "live" YOG action. Candice, 20, is a model and host; you'll recognise her from her work on MediaCorp TV's Kids Central as well as the live variety show oktoLIVE!, which she hosted last year.
Paul, 37, a 93.8Live news presenter and Channel 5's Friday night S.League live games commentator, is the old hand who has covered everything from the Olympics to the Commonwealth Games.
Divian Nair and Kelly Latimer will be your hosts for "Today At The Games", a concise wrap-up of each day's highlights that will run from 11pm to midnight daily.
Divian, 23, hosts the 98.7FM weekday morning show "AM Jam" along with DJ Vandetta. Kelly, also 23, has been the host of live events such as Manhunt Singapore 2008 and the 2007 World Cyber Games Asian Championship.
And then there's 27-year-old Julian Low, "First Class" and "Polo Boys" star, who will be undertaking the role of roving reporter during both telecasts of daily live YOG action and "Today At The Games".
Catch the Youth Olympic Games on Channels 5, U and okto, from August 14 to 26. The Opening Ceremony at the Float@Marina Bay airs live on Saturday on Channel 5, at 7.45pm.
(From left) Divian Nair, Kelly Latimer, Paul Sng, Candice Miller and Julian Low.
Channel NewsAsia
15 August 2010 2214 hrs
By Evelyn Choo
SINGAPORE : It is Day One of the Youth Olympic Games, and there are activities galore at the Youth Olympic Village.
Village mayor Teo Ser Luck said his team coped well with the mass arrival of the athletes.
He spoke to reporters at the opening of the World Culture Village on Sunday afternoon.
Mr Teo, who is also Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, said: "There were some teething issues in the beginning, but the team worked really hard to address those issues.
"There were one or two days when hundreds of countries came in, so that stretches your resources quite a bit. And I am glad to say that we hit the peak and managed to handle the situation quite well."
Mr Teo also said the athletes are warming up to each other.
Young Olympians spent the day exploring 49 booths of various participating nations.
One group went the extra mile to dress up as Austrians, and made some Austrian friends along the way.
Brandon Ang, booth host, Austria, said: "Well at least the first thing they told us was that we got their flag correct! We got the costumes correct too, so that was good.
"They visited the booth, looked at what we put up and they said we did a good job. It was very heartening for us to hear after so many months of effort."
For 17-year-old Brandon, who is from Nanyang Junior College, it is the culmination of months of hard work under a school twinning programme called Friends@YOG - endorsed by the International Olympic Committee.
To date, 251 Singapore schools have signed up for the project.
17-year-old Zeineb Khalfallah, a swimmer from Tunisia, visited the booth and found it "cool". She was also impressed with how the Village was run.
She said: "I really like the organisation. People are very helpful. If we need to ask something, someone is always around to answer us. So there is no problem about it."
The World Culture Village booths are presented on a continental theme, and will be rotated during the period of the Games. Visitors can expect a new set of booths featuring Europe, Africa, America & Oceania, and Asia, every three to four days.
Teo Ser Luck
Channel NewsAsia
16 August 2010 2213 hrs
By Alvina Soh
SINGAPORE: Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary, which is twinned with Hungary for the Youth Olympic Games, played host to the country's president today.
President Pal Schmitt, a former Olympic fencing champion, was given a guided tour of the school where he interacted with the students.
The tour was followed by an exhibition of Hungary's history in the Olympic Games.
The school also presented Mr Schmitt with a painting by one of their students as a token of appreciation.
In return, Mr Schmitt performed a short piece on the piano for his hosts.
Hungarian President Pal Schmitt on a visit to Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary, which is twinned with Hungary for the Youth Olympic Games.
Channel News Asia
16 August 2010 2041 hrs
By Patwant Singh
SINGAPORE: Singapore has won its first medal at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
Daryl Tan secured the bronze in the Boys' Under-55kg taekwondo event at the Suntec International Convention Centre.
The 17-year-old Raffles Junior College student made it to the last four after beating Myanmar's Shein Naing Dwe Shein.
But in the semis, Daryl was no match against Kaveh Rezaei of Iran, the World Junior champion.
The Iranian was in total control, winning 12-0 over three rounds in just 10 minutes.
The bronze medal was awarded to both losing semi-finalists.
Over at the Singapore Sports School, South African swimmer Chad le Clos stormed home in 2 minutes, 0.68 seconds to win gold in the Boys' 200-metre Individual Medley.
He claimed victory by almost 2 seconds over Kenneth To of Australia. Le Claire's compatriot Dylan Bosch won the bronze.
In the Girls' 100-metre semi-final, Singapore's Amanda Lim finished 6th in a time of 57.99 seconds and failed to qualify for the finals in her pet event.
Emma McKeon from Australia and China's Tang Yi topped their heats to emerge as gold medal favourites.
In the Boys' 100-metre breaststroke, Nicolas Schafer beat Russia's Anton Lobanov to clinch the first gold medal for Australia. His time of 1 minute 1.03 second was the fastest by 6 hundredths of a second.
In the Boys' 100-metre backstroke, He Jianbin of China clinched gold in a time of 55.16 seconds.
Israel's Yarkov Toumarkin snatched the silver after finishing a tenth of a second back, while Lavrans Solli of Norway clinched the bronze.
In the Girls' 100-metre backstroke, Daryna Zevina took the gold in 1 minute 1.51 seconds.
In the Girls' 200-metre butterfly final, Hungary's Boglarka Kapas won the gold in 2 minutes, 8.72 seconds.
Spain's Judit Ignacio took the silver, while Liu Lan of China won the bronze.
In the Boys' 200-metre freestyle final, Russian Andrey Ushakov was triumphant, winning gold in 1 minute, 49.81 seconds.
Venezuela's Cristian Quentero clinched the silver, while Singapore-born Canadian Jeremy Bagshaw took the bronze.
In the Girls' 50-metre breaststroke final, Canada's Rachel Nicol claimed the gold in a time of 32.06 seconds.
Martina Carraro of Italy won silver, 4 tenths of a second behind. And Portugal's Ana de Pinho Rodriguez took the bronze.
Over in wrestling, in the Girls' Under-60kg freestyle, Battsetseg Baatarzorig of Mongolia won the gold.
Pooja Dhanda of India got the silver and Lipatova Svetlana of Russia won the bronze.
In the Girls' Under-70kg freestyle, Dorothy Yeats of Canada won the gold, Jinju Moon of South Korea the silver and Karyna Stankova of Ukraine the bronze.
In the Girls' Under-46kg category, Yu Miyahara of Japan clinched the gold. Iulia Leorda of Moldova won the silver and Petra Olli of Finland the bronze.
In the Girls' Under-52kg freestyle, Patimat Bagomedova took the gold. The silver medal was won by Yuan Yuan of China and Nilufar Gadaeva of Uzbekistan secured the bronze.
Meanwhile Team Singapore's badminton player Huang Chao continued his winning form.
The China-born Singaporean beat Mario Cuba of Peru 21-15, 21-10 and then went on to defeat New Zealand's Asher Richardson 21-7, 21-8 for a place in the quarterfinals.
On Sunday, the 18-year-old Singaporean upset the number two seed, India's Sairaneeth Bhamidipati, winning 21-12, 18-21, 21-17.
Singapore's Daryl Tan Jia Jun celebrates his victory over Myanmar's Shein Naing Dwe Shein in the Boys' Under-55kg Taekwondo quarterfinal (Photo: XINHUA/SYOGOC-Pool/Guo Lei)
Channel NewsAsia
16 August 2010 1714 hrs
SINGAPORE: Bulgaria's Boyanka Kostova clinched the weightlifting gold in the Girls' Under-53kg category in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore on Monday.
She lifted a total of 192 kilos at the Toa Payoh sports hall.
Kuo Hsing Chun of Chinese Taipei finished a distant second, lifting 174kg.
Dewi Safitri of Indonesia won the bronze.
In 3-on-3 basketball action, Singapore Boys' team lost to Turkey 24-28 in a preliminary match earlier Monday.
After two games, Singapore Boys' team stand 4th out of the five teams in Group C.
In the Girls' event, Singapore fell to the US 11-34. Singapore are now 4th out of the five teams in Group B after two games.
In wrestling, Singapore's Erna Natasha Puteri finished in 8th position in the Girls' Under 60-kg category after she lost the 7th-place contest 0-3 to New Zealand's Tayla Ford.
Boyanka Kostova of Bulgaria waves to the crowd after the medal ceremony (Photo: SPH-SYOGOC/Chia Ti Yan)
Channel NewsAsia
16 August 2010 1407 hrs
SINGAPORE: It's Day 2 of the Youth Olympic Games and it's celebrations for the New Zealand contingent as Aaron Barclay's won his country's first medal of the YOG.
The 17 –year- old clinched the Boys' Triathlon Gold medal in a time of 54 minutes 41.49 seconds on Monday morning at East Coast Park.
Aaron was 14 seconds faster than Kevin McDowell of the USA, while Austria's Alois Knabl took the bronze.
As for Singapore triathlete Scott Ang, he finished 29th out of 32 competitors, with his time of 1 hour 2 minutes 15.11 seconds.
The 3rd and final gold medal in Triathlon, will take place on Thursday in the 4-person Mixed Team Relay.
Meanwhile over to the qualifying heats from swimming, Singapore's Pang Sheng Jun did not make the cut for the Finals of the 200meters Individual Medley, after finishing in 16th place overall.
But fans will get to see South Africa's rising star Chad le Clos (Chad le Claire) in action, as he was the second fastest qualifier at the Singapore Sports School this morning.
The 18 year old Commonwealth Youth Games champion, will be looking to add on to last night's silver medal in the 400meters Freestyle.
Checking in with the 100meters Butterfly heats, Singapore's pairing of Rainer Ng and Sheng Jun crashed out while Kenneth To from Australia advanced to the semifinals, with the fastest qualifying time of 54.16 seconds.
Chad le Clos (Chad le Claire) will also feature in the semis for this event.
As for Dai Jun who struck gold in last night's 400 meters Freestyle, the Chinese sensation returns Monday night to do battle in the 200 meters Final.
Singapore's Clement Lim did well but missed the Final 8, by just 2 seconds.
And over in the Girls' 100 meters Freestyle, Australia's Emma McKeon was the fastest in qualifying with her time of 56.04 seconds.
She advances to this evening's semi-finals, together with Singapore's Amanda Lim, who was 2 seconds slower than her Aussie rival.
Looking at the 200meters Butterfly, Hungarian teenager Boglarka Kapas will lead the pursuit of her country's 1st YOG medal, after qualifying fastest.
And in the 4 x 100 meter Medley Relays, Team Singapore failed to qualify for the Final, by just 4 seconds.
But surprisingly, the American Girls are also out of this relay event, which leaves the Gold medal to be contested tonight, by the other traditional powerhouses from Australia, China and Russia.
And finally in badminton round-robin action, Singapore's Huang Chao beat Mario Cuba of Peru 21-15, 21-10 to keep his quarterfinal hopes alive.
New Zealand's Aaron Barclay crosses the finishing line in the men's triathlon at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). He won the competition in 54min 41sec. Photo: SPH-SYOGOC/Kevin Lim
shooting stroke
08-16-2010, 11:39 PM
Yesterday got the opportunity to see the single event between a Singaporean player against a lad from New Zealand..............and this NZ player did so many, uncountable enforced errors.......in which if not, most probably the match will be an interesting one:)
YOG: Team Singapore to feature in 4 x100 meters Boys’ Freestyle Finals
Channel NewsAsia
17 August 2010 1232 hrs
SINGAPORE: Team Singapore will feature in tonight’s 4 x100 meters Boys’ Freestyle Finals.
The quartet of Clement Lim, Rainer Ng, Pang Sheng Jun and Arren Quek, clocked the 7th fastest time of 3 minutes 28. 66 seconds on Tuesday morning.
The foursome managed to knock out the likes of Germany , Japan and Brazil to reach the last 8.
The relay final is coming up at 730pm, with Team Singapore in Lane 1.
Aug 14, 2010
Six-day flame relay ends, now for the main event
By Leonard Lim
AFTER 2-1/2 years of preparations by a cast of thousands, the curtains go up tonight on a sporting party that will mark a new chapter in Olympic history.
The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) cauldron will be lit at a glittering opening ceremony, setting the stage for 12 days of sporting action involving 3,600 athletes from 204 participating National Olympic Committees.
All week, YOG fever has been building up, thanks to 2,400 people aged 11 to 82, able-bodied and on crutches, wheelchairs and dragonboats, who carried the Olympic torch through Singapore.
Yesterday evening, the flame's 305km journey ended at the Promontory@Marina Bay, when YOG organising committee chairman Ng Ser Miang handed the torch to Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew to light the community cauldron.
Mr Lee said: 'Few have imagined that we would one day host such an international event. Despite our constraints and limited expertise in this area, we offer our compact city and resourceful people.'
At a waterfront ceremony nearby, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, and Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan were among those who dedicated 210 trees planted along the Olympic Walk as a permanent reminder of the Games.
While all preparations had been carefully planned to the last detail, it took one schoolboy's unexpected act of determination this week to remind everyone of the sheer joy of sport.
Compassvale Primary's Low Wei Jie made headlines after braving the rain to run 15km in his flip-flops on Tuesday, as he took photographs of the flame relay for his scrapbook.
His story inspired many and earned him an invitation to be torchbearer No. 6237 yesterday. He was all smiles, cheered on by his family, schoolmates and teachers.
DPM Teo noted: 'I'm delighted that during the torch relay, the spirit in the heartlands was very strong for YOG. All our guests are here now, and we hope that we can put on a good show for them.'
Happy with all the work done, IOC chief Rogge thanked Singapore yesterday and said: 'This is a great moment, this is the beginning of the Youth Olympic Games.'
Finally, it is time to get Singapore's YOG party going.
The Youth Olympic flame journeys to the Premontory@Marina Bay. -- PHOTO: SPH-SYOGOC/Samuel He
Aug 14, 2010
Horse-rider combination will be fixed for the entire competition
By Lee Min Kok
WHAT sort of horsepower would they get?
That was the luck of the draw facing 31 young riders in the equestrian competition.
For the first time in Olympic history, a horse draw was conducted for the athletes at the Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre yesterday.
The assigned horse-rider combination will apply throughout the Aug 18-24 competition for the team and individual events.
Before the draw, Britain's Carian Scudamore, 17, said: 'I've never seen anything like it.'
Added last year's European Junior champion: 'Our chances of winning will all depend on which horse you get.'
A mix of apprehension and bemusement was evident on the athletes' faces as each of their names was drawn from a black box and matched to a steed.
Each horse was also taken into the competition arena at a slow trot for the riders to study it.
Singapore's Caroline Chew, 18, was the first name drawn from the box.
Instead of Pickadeur, her trusty steed on which she won the young riders' class at the Malaysian Open World Cup earlier this month, she got seven-year-old Gatineau, who is only half Pickadeur's age.
She said: 'He (Gatineau) is definitely less experienced than what I'm used to, since younger horses tend to get scared easily.'
But Carian will be in the same situation. Rather than Angel, her favourite ride, she has to tame 11-year-old Mighty McGyver, one of the oldest horses in the herd of 38.
Her coach Corinne Bracken took a positive view: 'We liked what we saw. He's small, lively and looks very similar to Angel.'
The athletes will be restricted to one-hour sessions with their new partners for the next four days, before the competition kicks off.
With such a short time for familiarisation, Carian admitted that that she will have her work cut out for her to gel with her new ride.
Australia's Thomas McDermott did not appear too concerned about Hugo, the horse that he drew, having encountered similar draws in other competitions before.
Said the 16-year-old: 'All the athletes are in the same boat, but I've heard some pretty good things about my horse from the trainers.'
Venue manager Jeremy Edwards was adamant that the three main issues surrounding the horses - being able to jump at least 1.2m, give a decent ride and be medically sound - have been addressed.
The horses have also undergone the same diet and training regimen in the last 12 months.
'Horses always find a way to lift themselves up on the day of the competition,' he said. 'These are some of the best young riders in the world and their skills will shine through.
'NIKON MOMENT: A horse (right) being led to the competition arena at the Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre. A horse draw was later conducted for the young riders taking part in the Youth Olympic Games equestrian competition. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG
The Straits Times
Aug 14, 2010
MATHS teacher Koh-Leong Swee Ling carrying the Youth Olympic Torch while on a dragon boat in Marina Bay yesterday, the sixth day of the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame. Mrs Koh-Leong is a recipient of national water agency PUB's Watermark Award, which recognises those who help protect and raise awareness of Singapore's water resources.
Channel NewsAsia
17 August 2010 1448 hrs
SINGAPORE: It's Day 3 of the Youth Olympic Games and over in selected swimming results, Singapore's Amanda Lim is through to the semi-finals of the 50 meters Butterfly event.
At the Singapore Sports School on Tuesday morning, the 17-year-old timed 29.48 seconds in the heats.
Over to the 100 meters Breaststroke, Rachel Nicol of Canada was the fastest qualifier in 1 minute 09.87 seconds.
But Singapore's Cheryl Lim finished 21st out of 29 places overall.
Next up is Kaitlyn Jones as she'll be gunning for her second Gold medal of the Games.
Having won the 200 meters Individual Medley on Sunday, the American was the fastest in qualifying for tonight's 200 meters Backstroke Final.
But the 15-year-old will face the challenge from Barbora Zavadova of the Czech Republic, who took the bronze in the Individual Medley two nights ago.
Onto the Boys' 50 meters Freestyle qualifiers, Andrii Govorov was the quickest in 22.62 seconds.
The Ukrainian advances to the semifinals together with other favorites in Australia's Kenneth To and Spain's Aitor Martinez.
And Singapore's Clement Lim also made the cut for the last 16 with his time of 23.86 seconds.
More good news for the Republic as the Boys quartet of Clement, Rainer Ng, Pang Sheng Jun and Arren Quek, will feature in tonight's 4 by 100 meter Freestyle Finals.
Earlier on Tuesday, our Boys clocked the 7th fastest time of 3 minutes 28. 66 seconds.
The foursome managed to knock out the likes of Germany , Japan and Brazil to reach the last eight.
The relay final is coming up at 730pm, with Team Singapore in Lane 1.
Over in selected 3-on-3 basketball results, our Singapore Boys crashed to their 3rd successive defeat at Scape Youth Park.
They went down to Israel 27-14 in a Group C encounter.
Turkey and the USA are currently in the top 2 positions of this Group.
Meanwhile, Croatia wiped out South Africa 33-4 in a Group D clash, to produce the tournament's biggest lopsided scoreline.
Egypt beat Group B Leaders Lithuania 33-31 while Serbia hammered Group A leaders 34-14 in a top-of-the table Group A meeting. -
This underwater image shows Lim Xiang Qi Amanda competing during the women's 100m freestyle qualifications on July 30, 2009 at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome - AFP
Sarah Milne (GBR) beat Josephine Wentholt (NED) 21-15, 21-18 (30')
Sarah is a diminutive dynamite! Although losing out in height to the much taller Josephine she made up with speed and agility to frustrate her opponent into making many unforced errors. She reminds me of Nathan Robertson's mixed doubles partner Gail Emms who also has blonde hair and always looks energetic. Sarah is also sporting and made her defeated opponent happy by planting a kiss on her cheek after the handshake. ;)
Two different faces emerged from the start.
Loh was confident and relaxed whilst Huang looked tensed and hung his head low, seemingly full of stress. And these opposite moods showed on the court as Loh moved about more fluidly while Huang seemed to be dragged along in his movements. Having beaten Huang before, maybe Loh had more reason to be able to repeat his earlier success.
Both tried hard to keep the bird low, but Loh was more creative and daring to hammer anything that flew an inch higher. Huang did catch Loh a few times with his powerful smashes, a few to Loh's body, but the latter held the upper hand as he made less errors. On several occasions he showed how lethargic Huang was when Huang was unable to return seemingly timid shots.
But Huang can console himself for having gone this far and topping his group and in the process eliminating the second seed from India, Bhamidipati Sai Praneeth. With more exposure and training, Huang should be able to do better in the future.
Loh has made an impressive appearance in this YOG and now that Huang Yuxiang of China has been defeated by Thailand's Pisit, his chance of taking the gold medal looks much better.
blindaim
08-18-2010, 10:06 AM
yog song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JP1zUxuy6c&feature=player_embedded#!
yog song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JP1zUxuy6c&feature=player_embedded#!
This song seems to be quite catchy. I was surprised to hear so many able to sing it together with the singers on stage during the Opening Ceremony.
The Straits Times
Aug 18, 2010
They enter semi-finals after stunning wins over higher-ranked players
By Terrence Voon
IT WAS a day of big net gains, and disappointing net losses.
When the dust settled over the quarter-finals of the Youth Olympics' badminton competition at the Singapore Indoor Stadium yesterday, Thailand's flag flew the highest.
Two of their brightest prodigies will compete in the semi-finals today, heralding the arrival of a new generation of Thai shuttlers on the world stage.
There is Sapsiree Taerattanachai, the 18-year-old who overcame Malaysia's third-seeded Sonia Cheah to earn a place in the last four of the girls' event.
There is also Pisit Poodchalat, a Bangkok boy whose thrilling tussle with China's Huang Yuxiang, the Asian junior champion, had the crowd on their feet.
Poodchalat could not control his emotions after his 21-16, 21-19 win, flinging himself - and his racket - to the floor.
Said the 18-year-old: 'People in Thailand were looking out for the result and, now that we're going to the semi-final, they are really happy.'
Alas, there was little joy for the home supporters as Singapore's Huang Chao went down 15-21, 18-21 to Malaysia's Low Wei Sheng in the boys' event.
In front of 4,000 supporters, three Cabinet members and his own father, the China-born shuttler simply wilted with a series of unforced errors.
Said Huang: 'I was too nervous in the beginning. There were so many supporters and I felt the pressure. But I'm grateful to them for their encouragement.'
Hopes of a medal for Singapore were high after his win over second seed Sairaneeth Bhamidipati of India on Sunday.
But, when confronted by Malaysia's top junior, he failed to display the aggression which saw him through the round-robin stage.
Huang's wayward lobs and clumsy net play meant that his opponent needed just 34 minutes to end his YOG dream.
'I'm sorry, I need a moment to be by myself,' he told the media, before slumping with his back to the wall.
He was later helped to his feet by Singapore Badminton Association president Lee Yi Shyan, who shook his hand and urged him to 'try again next time'.
'This is one of the first major tournaments that he has entered,' said Mr Lee, who is also Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry, and Ministry of Manpower. 'He's got a long run ahead of him. He's 18 years old, he's got the physique, and he's got the skill.'
Thailand's Pisit Poodchalat (top) celebrating his win over China's Huang Yuxiang, the reigning Asian junior champion, in the boys' singles quarter-finals. -- PHOTO: XINHUA/SYOGOC-POOL
POODCHALAT PISIT (THA) DEFEATED LOH WEI SHENG (MAS) 21-13, 19-21, 21-3 (RET)
Pisit and Loh were two of the best performers during the round-robbin preliminary stage. It is unfortunate that they ended up in the same half thereafter.
Pisit was credited for disposing 2010 Asian Junior Champion, Huang Yuxiang (CHN) in straight games during the quarterfinals, so did Loh against Huang Chao (SIN) in the same manner. Huang had earlier got rid of second seed Bhamidiputi Sai Praneeth (IND).
These two youngsters are fierce fighters with about equal skills and fitness but towards the end of the second game, Loh suffered an ankle sprain to his right foot which ultimately caused him to surrender his match at 3-11 during the final game interval. He fought well despite his injury and won the second game to force the rubber. But the injury told in the end when Pisit scored points at ease against a much slower Loh.
Pisit's spirit soared when Thailand's familiar cheerleader in traditional garb, together with his disciples, cajoled the crowd to support Pisit. Unfortunately the "Malaysia Boleh" shouts were isolated and weak.
Channel NewsAsia
19 August 2010 1848 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore has won another bronze medal, this time in archery.
The Republic's Abdul Dayyan and Turkey's Begunhan Elif Unsal won the bronze medal playoff in the mixed team event, which was held at the Kallang Field on Thursday.
Needing a perfect score of 20, they beat Bangladesh's Mohamed Emdadul Haque Milon and Spain's Miriam Alarcon 20-19 in the tie-breaking set.
With the scores tied at 5-points all after the 5th set, the Turkey/Singapore pair needed 2 perfect 10 shots for the bronze.
And they delivered, with Singapore winning their 3rd bronze to go with one silver for the Games.
Other highlights on Thursday – day 5 of the competition -- include various swimming events as well as the all-boys football match between Singapore and Montenegro.
The Group D match, held at Jalan Besar Stadium, will be broadcast live on Channel 5 at 8.45pm.
The regular 9.30pm News on Channel 5 will be delayed to start at 10.45pm.
Meanwhile, Singapore's Amanda Lim, 17, finished eighth with 26.61 seconds at the heats Thursday morning to make it to the semi-finals.
Amanda is also leading the Singapore 4 x 100 metres freestyle team into Thursday evening's finals.
The quartet -- Amanda, Adeline Winata, Cheryl Lim and Chriselle Koh -- came in fourth in the qualifying race with a time of 4 minutes 01.27 seconds.
The girls also managed to make the cut as the eighth best team after edging out South Africa and Japan.
Singapore's Mohamed Jaffar Bin Abdul Dayyan (Photo: SPH-SYOGOC/Jonathan Yeap)
Channel NewsAsia
20 August 2010 1407 hrs
By Favian Ng,
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Roar of the 70s could well make a come-back and it would be due in no small part to the likes of teenagers Brandon Koh and Muhaimin Suhaimi.
They may not be among Singapore's football luminaries but it's hard not to notice their battling displays at the Youth Olympic Games.
It was a pulsating 80 minutes of football action at the Jalan Besar stadium on Thursday night when Singapore took on Montengro in the final group stages.
Despite both teams having qualified for the semi-finals, there was still plenty at stake as the losing team would have to take on favourites Bolivia in the next round.
In front of a sold-out crowd at the Jalan Besar stadium, the Young Cubs proved once again that size isn't everything, putting on a lion-hearted display of guts and determination to overcome the physically-advantaged Montenegro team.
Standing at 1.59 metres, it was a mismatch between Jovan Baosic and Singapore striker Muhaimin Suhaimi who stood 20 centimetres shorter.
But within three minutes of the starting whistle, the diminutive striker slipped past Montenegro's defence to double his tournament tally for a clinical finish through a fine pass from Mohd Hanafi.
Suhaimi wasn't the only hero of the night. Recovering from an early gaffe that gave the opposing team an advantage, goalkeeper Fashah Rosedin's put in heroic performances against Montenegro's onslaught.
Standing tall between the posts, his bravery was personified in the 43rd minute when he placed his body on the line to deny Montenegro striker Steven Krivopaic.
Bearing the brunt of several physical challenges too, was speedy winger Brandon Koh.
"It was tough out there. They tried to intimidate us with their physical with us but coach Kadir told us to play with our brains," said Brandon after the game.
Using brains and also brawn, Brandon was spot-on for Singapore's winning goal in the 75th minute, much to the delight of the 5,850 fans who almost brought down the roof of the Jalan Besar Stadium with their ear-splitting roars.
Later Brandon 'confessed' that it was neither tactic nor timing that saw him bringing home the winning goal.
"Honestly, my mind was in (a) blank. I didn't think so much about it. I just wanted to score," he said.
Soccer is a mind-game as much as it is one of speed, stamina and skill as the Montenegro boys learnt when losing their cool and earning a send-off for Nikola Jovanovic in the 64th minute for throwing a punch at Ammirul Mazlan.
The sweltering night didn't go entirely Singapore's way.
After a bright start, the team failed to maintain their momentum and went behind 2-1 midway through the first-half.
Coach Kadir Yahaya was forced to made an early reshuffle to stem the flood.
The former Singapore international brought on Iskander Khairul for Sunny Ng in the 25th minute and got his wingers Jonathan Tan and Brandon Koh to switch flanks.
"I'm still trying to find out the problem. The player [Sunny] was probably too nervous and overawed by the occasion," explained Kadir of his early substitution decision.
The bold gamble paid off in the 37th minute when Brandon cleverly bicycle-kicked the ball back into the penalty area and captain Jeffery Lightfoot headed home an equalizer.
Thursday night's victory means Singapore will take on Haiti in the semi-final.
The odds are already in favour of the Young Cubs as Haiti was trashed 9-0 by Bolivia in the group stages. But coach Kadir isn't ready to let the guards down.
"We still need to give Haiti respect. They have players who can do damage to our team" he said.
That's means the locker-room celebrations have to be cut short.
"First of all, we have to contain our boys' emotions after tonight's win and approach the semis seriously," said Kadir.
That leaves just the rest of Singapore to party for the boys.
"It was another great performance by our team" said Mininister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, who was clearly delighted with the team's performance after catching the match.
"They're now through and what I saw was a really gutsy performance. Against bigger opponents, they never said die, they brought the fight to them."
The semi-final match between Singapore and Haiti will take place on Saturday, August 22, 8.45pm at Jalan Besar Stadium.
Tickets are sold-out.
Singapore's Muhaimin Suhaimi (right) tussles with Montenegro's Stefan Nedovic for the ball in the Singapore versus Montenegro boys' preliminaries - (Photo: SPH-SYOGOC/Desmond Lim)
Channel NewsAsia
19 August 2010 2142 hrs
By Ewan Mah
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Amanda Lim has qualified for the Girls' 50m freestyle finals in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
The 17-year-old clocked 26.14 seconds in the semifinals to be placed 6th overall in the finals.
Anna Santamans of France qualified with the best time of 25.48 seconds.
Favourites Emma Mckeon of Australia and China's Tang Yi also qualified for the finals.
In the Boys' 100m freestyle semifinals, Singapore's Clement Lim was tied for 6th place and failed to advance to the finals.
Kenneth To of Australia had the best overall time of 49.96 seconds.
In the Boys' 50m breaststroke semifinals, Singapore's Pang Sheng Jun finished 10th overall and didn't qualify for the finals.
Australia's Nicholas Schafer and Russia's Anton Lobanov are the favourites to take the gold in this event.
Meanwhile, Andrii Govorov won yet another gold medal for Ukraine in a time of 23.64 secs in the Boys' 50m butterfly.
Korea's Chang Gyucheol took the silver half a second back, while Italian Tommaso Romani won the bronze.
In the Girls' 50m backstroke, France's Mathilde Cini took the gold with a time of 29.19sec. Silver went to Ukraine's Daryna Zevina and bronze to Russian Alexandra Papusha.
In the 4x100 metres freestyle relay, China were victorious in 3 minutes 46.64 seconds. Germany finished with the silver while Canada clinched the bronze. Singapore were in 8th place.
In football, Haiti beat Vanuatu 2-1 to secure a spot in the Boys' semifinals.
Vanuatu took the lead after 3 minutes after the half.
But Haiti pulled two goals back in quick succession in the 67th and 70th minute to claim the win.
They finished 2nd in Group C and now await the winners of Group D in the last 4.
Bolivia topped Group C after winning all their games, scoring 11 goals and conceding none.
Singapore supporters at the Singapore Sports School (Photo: SPH-SYOGOC/Selwyn Yeo)
Thailand's Pisit put up a gritty display to down India's Prannoy 21-15, 21-16 (40') for the Boys' Singles YOG gold medal.
As though this is not hot enough another "Tom Yam" 40' performance from his 'sister' Sapsiree Taerattanchai shattered the hopes of China's Deng Xuan in almost the same score 21-14, 21-17.
So these two youngsters from the Kingdom of Thailand had managed to crush the Great Wall and signal to world badminton to watch out for them in the not too distant future.
Channel NewsAsia
22 August 2010 2125 hrs
By Patwant Singh
SINGAPORE : In equestrian, Singapore's Caroline Chew is through to the finals of the Jumping Individual event.
The 18-year-old student of Hwa Chong Institution finished in 18th position out of 29 riders.
Chew had eight penalties for her routine at the Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre.
The Singaporean will next compete on Tuesday.
Caroline Chew competes with the horse Gatineau during the jumping individual round A of equestrian. Photo: XINHUA/SYOGOC-POOL/Duan Zhuoli
Channel NewsAsia
24 August 2010 2308 hrs
SINGAPORE : IOC president Jacques Rogge wants to see the fun factor brought back to the Olympics, complaining Tuesday that they were often too serious and stressful.
The International Olympic Committee chief was commenting at the inaugural Youth Olympics in Singapore which has successfully mixed sport with cultural and education programmes.
He said the youth event and the full-blown Olympics complemented each other, and that the successful aspects from Singapore could be incorporated into the more traditional format.
"I think that there are things that will definitely be useful," he told reporters.
"I think, for instance, to introduce maybe in the traditional Games a more fun factor in the competitions that are sometimes too serious, too heavy and too full of stress."
But Rogge also made clear the distinctiveness of the two sporting occasions. "It would be wrong to say that it (the Youth Olympic Games) is going to be transferable automatically to the traditional games," he said.
"The traditional Games will always be bigger and more sophisticated to organise."
With the Youth Olympics wrapping up on Thursday, the IOC president called them an important learning experience for young athletes who will one day be international role models.
"Young athletes don't meet athletes from other sports and this is something they need to get used to. We teach them social reflexes that they have to perfect," he said.
"They are put in contact for the very first time with a fantastic educational programme. We teach them a healthy lifestyle, the prevention of injuries, the prevention of doping and the pursuit of excellence.
"It's not that we impose these values. We explain these values and the kids take these for themselves."
The Youth Olympics, which have been running since August 14, feature athletes aged 14 to 18 competing in all 26 Olympic sports.
Jacques Rogge attends a press conference in Singapore. Photo:SPH-SYOGOC/KENT CHOW
Channel NewsAsia
24 August 2010 1652 hrs
By Ewan Mah
SINGAPORE : In the Youth Olympic Games on Tuesday, Marcelo Chirico of Uruguay, riding Links Hot Gossip, took gold in the Equestrian Individual Jumping event at the Singapore Turf Club Riding Centre.
Colombia's Mario Gamboa pushed the champ into a jump off to decide the gold. But he exceeded the 55 seconds time limit, incurring 14 penalty points and had to settle for silver.
Saudi Arabia's Dalma Rushdi Malhas got the bronze medal.
Singapore's Caroline Chew riding Gatineau finished in 17th place.
In Shooting, Ukraine's Denys Kushnirov grabbed the gold in the Boys' 10m Air Pistol Final with 676.3 points.
Brazil's Felipe Almeida Wu scored 0.3 points less to take silver while South Korea's Choi Daehan received the bronze.
Singapore's Wu Wen Yi placed 18th.
Marcelo of Uruguay competes during the jumping individual round B of equestrian. Photo: XINHUA/SYOGOC-POOL/Duan Zhuoli
Channel NewsAsia
24 August 2010 2117 hrs
By Ewan Mah
SINGAPORE: In the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on Tuesday, in Table Tennis, Singapore are through to the second group stage after a perfect 3-0 record in Group H.
Clarence Chew and Girls' Singles silver medallist Isabelle Li defeated Africa-One 2-1 to add to their wins against Intercontinental-2 and Egypt.
Isabelle won her singles match in straight games, but Clarence lost to Nigeria's Ojo Onaolapo once again.
But the Singaporean duo combined forces to seal the tie in the mixed doubles. With the victory, Singapore top their group and advance to the top 16 in the second group stage.
In Diving and the Boys' 10m Platform Final, China's Qiu Bo collected his second gold at the YOG with a total score of 673.50 points.
Silver went to Ukraine's Oleksandr Bondar who was almost 70 points behind. And Mexico's Ivan Garcia claimed the bronze.
In Boys' Handball, Singapore have beaten the Cook Islands 32-18.
The Singapore boys had won the first leg of their playoff match 22-20 on Monday night.
With the win, the Republic finished fifth overall.
Over in the first semi-final, Egypt beat France 22-21.
With the victory, the Egyptians advance to the gold medal match to play South Korea, who beat Brazil 27-22 in their semi-final.
In Girls' Football, Chile have won the gold after beating Equatorial Guinea 5-3 on penalties.
The score was tied at 1-all after 80 minutes and the match went straight into a shootout to determine the winner.
Earlier, Turkey beat Iran 3-0 to take home the bronze.
In Girls' Hockey, The Netherlands won their first gold of the Games. They beat Argentina 2-1 after a golden goal from a penalty corner in extra time.
Earlier, New Zealand snatched the bronze after beating South Korea 5-4.
The game ended 4-4 at full time and was also settled by a golden goal.
In Boxing, In the Boys' Middle under-75kg Bout, Zoltan Harcsa of Hungary beat Nigeria's Muideen Akanji 8-1 to claim the bronze.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's Sardorbek Begaliev beat Ecuador's Ytalo Perea 5-2 in the Boys' Light Heavy under-81kg Bout to secure bronze.
In the Boys' Heavy under-91kg Bout, Turkey's Umit Can Patir beat Tajikistan's Siyovush Zukhurov to take home the bronze.
In the Boys' Super Heavy plus 91kg Bout, Daniil Svaresciuc from Moldova beat Hungary's Jozsef Zsigmond after the Hungarian retired in Round 3. -
Isabelle Li (Photo: XINHUA/SYOGOC-Pool/Fan Jun)
Singapore's Oscar Ooi Junhao (right) gets past Cook Islands' Peter Tuaratini. Photo: SPH-SYOGOC/Jeremy Chan
YOG: Singapore's golden chances in sailing suffer setback
By Patwant Singh/Ewan Mah/Dylan Loh | Posted: 24 August 2010 1850 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
Singapore's Darren Choy (Photo: SPH-SYOGOC/Imran Ahmad)
Special Report
• Special Report: Youth Olympic Games
SINGAPORE: Singapore's chances of a YOG gold medal in sailing suffered a setback after a poor finish by Darren Choy in three races on Tuesday.
The 16-year-old world champion is Singapore's best hope at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
Darren, who was the overall leader before Tuesday, finished 15th, 13th and 18th for races 9, 10 and 11.
This puts him in sixth place overall at 66 points, 25 points behind leader Ian Barrows of the US Virgin Islands.
The last race will be held on Wednesday.
In the Girls' Byte CII event, Natasha Yokoyama recovered from a 21st-place finish in race 9 to win race 10.
But she faltered in the next race to finish 12th.
Going into Wednesday's gold-medal race, she is now 5th overall with 63 points, with Austria's Lara Vadlau the clear leader with 23 points.
In the Girls' Techno 293 windsurfing race, Singapore's Audrey Yong is 5th with 40 points in the 18-strong field. She is now 22 points behind Thailand's Siripon Kaewduang-Ngam.
In boxing, Singapore's Muhammed Hanurdeen lost out on the bronze in the Boys' Light Fly 48kg category.
The 17-year-old fell 0-7 to Uzbekistan's Zohidjon Hoorboyev. Despite a difficult match, it was a special night for him.
Hanurdeen's mother Jarina Begum was at the match to support him, courtesy of tickets from Singapore's Sports Ministry.
She had to tend to her Tekka Hawker Centre rojak stall and was unable to attend any of Hanurdeen's previous bouts. But for Tuesday night, she got someone else to look after the business.
In the Boys' Fly Under-51kg bout, Egypt's Hesham Abdelaal beat Kandel Dowden of Grenada to take the bronze after Kandel was disqualified in round two.
In the Boys' Bantam Under-54kg bout, Poland's Dawid Michelus beat Zack Davies of Great Britain 12-7 for the bronze.
Venezuela's Fradimil Macayo beat Denislav Suslekov of Bulgaria 8-3 for the bronze in the Boys' Feather Under-57kg bout.
In the Boys' Light Under-60kg bronze-medal match, India's Krishan Vikas took bronze after his bout against Mexico's Daniel Echeverria. The Mexican was disqualified in round three for too many punches below the belt.
In the Boys' Light Welter Under-64kg bronze-medal bout, Argentina's Fabian Maidana took bronze in a walkover as Ukraine's Oleg Nekliudov was unable to compete.
And Turkmenistan's Nursahat Pazziyev beat Kyrgyzstan's Islomzhon Dalibaev 7-0 to take the bronze in the Boys' Welter Under-69kg bronze-medal bout.
In canoeing, Singapore's Wang Nan Feng was knocked out by Belgium's Hermien Peters in the Girls' K1 Canoe Slalom round three. Earlier in round one, she beat Aliaksandra Hryshyna of Belarus in a time of 1 minute 47.23 seconds to progress to round three.
In the Boys' K1 Canoe Slalom round three, Singapore's Brandon Ooi beat Iran's Ali Aghamirzaeijenaghrad in a time of 1 minute 35.80 seconds to progress to round four.
Amongst the last 8 in round four, Brandon will face off against France's Guillaume Bernis.
Earlier in round one, Brandon beat Boris Nedyalkov of Bulgaria with a time of 1 minute 35.24 seconds to progress to round three.
In the Modern Pentathlon Mixed Relay event, Ukraine's Anastasiya Spas paired up with Ilya Shugarov of Russia to take gold with 4,638 points.
The pair had won bronze and silver earlier at the games in their individual events.
Silver went to Zhu Wenjing of China and South Korea's Kim Dae Beom, with 4,600 points.
Brazil's Mariana Laporte and Slovakia's Jan Szalay grabbed the bronze.
Meanwhile, Singapore's Valerie Lim paired with Ukraine's Yuriy Fedechko. They were placed 7th with 4,460 points.
In Rhythmic Gymnastics, Singapore were placed 5th with 39.150 points and are reserves for the finals in the Girls' Group All Around Qualification.
Top-spot qualifier was Russia, with 52.250 points.
(Being indisposed for the past few days, I will now update on the more significant events.)
The Straits Times
Aug 25, 2010
SINGAPORE midfielder Hanafi Mohamed Akbar finally broke his duck in the Youth Olympic Games football competition as the Singapore Cubs defeated Montenegro 4-1 on Wednesday night to clinch the bronze medal.
Hanafi, who failed to find the net in Singapore's three earlier matches, scored twice in front of a crowd that was visibly smaller than the 6,000-strong throng that had packed Jalan Besar Stadium to watch Singapore beat Montenegro 3-2 last Tuesday and lose 0-2 to Haiti in the semi-finals on Sunday.
But this time, the fans were rewarded for their unwavering faith in the Singapore youngsters.
And Singapore responded appropriately by taking just six minutes to break the deadlock through Hanafi, who picked up a pass and brushed aside his markers before slotting the ball past Montenegro goalkeeper Marko Kordic.
However, the Cubs' joy was shortlived. Two minutes after the goal, skipper Jeffrey Lightfoot suffered a bad cut on his head and had to be substituted.
The situation worsened two minutes later when Montenegro equalised through Jovan Baosic. The defender was unmarked when a freekick was floated in and had all the time in the world to power his header past Singapore keeper Fashah Rosedin.
The match ended 1-1 at half-time.
Hanafi then scored his second goal of the match and tournament five minutes after the break when he received Bryan Neubronner's cross at the edge of the Montenegro box and slammed his shot past Kordic.
Singapore made it 3-1 in the 56th minute after they were awarded a penalty. Referee Norbert Hauata had apparently spotted a Montenegro player tugging at the jersey of one of the Singapore players and pointed to the spot.
Midfielder Ammirul Mazlan then sent Kordic the wrong way to give Singapore a comfortable lead.
Ammirul then made it a night to remember for the Cubs and the Jalan Besar faithful when he headed Hanafi's 65th-minute freekick into the Montenegro net to make it 4-1.
The Cubs' victory came in front of a crowd that was visibly smaller than the 6,000-strong throng that had packed Jalan Besar Stadium. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
The Straits Times
Aug 25, 2010
Scheduling clash and less competitive team translate into poor haul
By Leonard Lim
WHEN the curtain falls on the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) after 12 days of intense sporting action tomorrow, the United States will be in an unfamiliar position.
With four golds, eight silvers and eight bronzes at the end of competition last night, they are currently fifth in the medal standings if total medals are used as a measure, and a startling 11th if the gold medal count is used.
That places them lower than Ukraine, Hungary and Azerbaijan, an anomaly for a sporting powerhouse whose long-time dominance has seen them finish either first or second spot in the medal standings - by either measure - at every Summer Olympics since 1992.
At best, the US can haul in one more gold, if their volleyball girls dispose of Belgium in tomorrow's final.
But that will still leave them lagging far behind runaway leaders China, who have amassed 28 golds, 15 silvers and five bronzes so far.
Swimming and athletics, traditionally gold mines for the Americans, have contributed a lone gold each, while the country's other two have come from judo.
The US' cause was not helped by the boys and girls' basketball teams, who were favourites for gold, crashing out in the semi-finals.
'There were some scheduling challenges,' United States Olympic Committee (USOC) chief executive Scott Blackmun said, in explaining his contingent's woeful performance.
Gymnast Jordyn Wieber, the 2008 US junior all-around champion and touted as a future Olympic medallist, competed in the Aug 10-14 US Championships instead.
And the country's best crop of swimmers are skipping the YOG for the Junior Pan-Pacific Championships in Hawaii. The competition, which begins tomorrow and ends on Sunday, is regarded as swimming's biggest international meet this year.
That left the US' 'B' squad competing in Singapore.
'We looked at this as a developmental opportunity for some of our athletes who don't otherwise get the opportunity to compete internationally,' said Blackmun.
Glaringly, the Chinese won 11 golds - nearly 40 per cent of their total gold haul - in the pool here, while Kaitlyn Jones (200m individual medley) was the only American swimming gold medallist.
The short time-frame to prepare for the first YOG was also a factor, the US' chef de mission Leonard Abbey, 27, pointed out yesterday in an interview at the Games Village.
'Singapore were given 2-1/2 years to plan for this Games. The National Olympic Committees were also given 2-1/2 years,' he said.
'High-performance sports plans are for five, six, seven years at a time. So with such short notice, some sports had (already) moved halfway through their plan. The YOG was never in the plan.'
Many other countries have sent their best athletes, however. The US' decision not to do so may be due to question marks about how high the standard of competition would be, given that it was the first YOG compared to, say, the Pan-Pacific Championships which are well-established.
But USOC sport manager Abbey, who also attended the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the Vancouver Winter Olympics in February, has been impressed by what he has seen here.
Russia's three-gold gymnast Viktoria Komova and China's six-gold swimmer Tang Yi are some YOG athletes tipped to be future Olympic stars.
'The coaches are comparing it to the highest levels of competition that they've competed in, and so are the athletes,' Abbey said.
Giving a strong hint that the standard of future US squads would be much higher, he added: 'The YOG's up there as far as top priority. Having a better understanding of the level will help us to improve our planning for the future and fitting it into high-performance plans.'
Seeing the top performances by athletes from other sporting powers like China and Australia has also made the Americans sit up and take notice of what was initially an experimental event.
They are now among 17 countries to express interest in hosting a future edition of the YOG.
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said he was not concerned about the quality of the American team.
He told the Associated Press: 'When people don't participate, they are easily forgotten and they do not weigh on the success of the organisation.'
Kaitlyn Jones won America's sole swimming gold and is one of only four gold medallists from the country so far. -- PHOTO: SPH-SYOGOC/ANDREW TAN
The Straits Times
Aug 25, 2010
By Lin Xinyi
CHINA brought 68 athletes to the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), and their chef de mission Cai Zhenhua is confident that future Olympic champions are among them.
'Some of these athletes will definitely compete in the 2012 or 2016 Olympics, and there will definitely be someone who will be an Olympic champion,' he told The Straits Times.
While Cai did not speculate on who they might be, a number of athletes have caught his eye at the YOG.
The first one who came to mind was swimmer Tang Yi - the most decorated athlete at the inaugural Games with six golds.
China's female cagers and paddler Gu Yuting were also noted for their gritty performances.
'Our more outstanding athletes have been Tang Yi and the other swimmers,' he said. 'They have done their personal bests and set world junior records.
'Results aside, they also showed great fighting spirit.'
The Chinese swimmers won 11 of the 35 golds on offer, playing a huge role in propelling the country to the top of the medal standings.
China are perched at the top with 28 golds, 15 silvers and five bronzes.
Although Chinese sports officials did not set a medal target before the YOG, Cai said the returns have already surpassed his expectations.
But he stressed that the YOG medal standings and the 2008 Beijing Olympics medal tally, which China topped with 51 golds, do not reflect that it is a sports superpower.
'After the Beijing Olympics, we'd already stated that China is not considered a strong country, just a big one,' he said.
'Our standard is still lacking in key Olympic sports like athletes and swimming, and in sports that have great social impact - football, basketball and volleyball.'
He also noted that for the YOG, countries like the United States, a traditional sports powerhouse, did not send some of their best athletes.
Hence, topping the medal tally cannot be equated with athletic superiority.
Said Cai: 'There's a lot more we have to do before we can become a powerhouse.
'Chinese swimmer Tang Yi has caught China's chef de mission Cai Zhenhua's eye with her six-gold performance. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
The Straits Times
Aug 25, 2010
By Victoria Vaughan & Melissa Kok
JETSTAR Asia pilot Marcela Llaguno was on cloud nine on Monday.
He was among 30 Peruvians who cheered on their country's girls volleyball team to a record a 3-0 victory over Japan at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall.
The supporters included some of the 80 Peruvians living and working here, and those who had made the 30-odd-hour trip from home.
Said Llaguno: 'It's exciting to be part of this and be with other Peruvians. I wasn't expecting to come here but it was my day off and my friends got tickets.'
Retiree Ricardo Poto Loyola came from his home in Kuala Lumpur to catch the game, saying:
'I'm here for only one day. My niece plays volleyball so I know the sport and I thought I would come and watch. It's very well organised though I had some trouble parking.'
Indeed, foreign spectators, though small in number, are doing their best to give their home teams a lift at the Youth Olympic Games.
'I wish there were more Japanese people here to shout louder. But it's nice to watch the match as we play for the Japanese Association team,' said hairdresser Chie Oizumi at the Peru-Japan match.
Over at the diving pool, the crowd roared for Singaporean competitor Chloe Chan but the familiar cheer of 'Aussie, Aussie, Aussie' also came from the stands for Hannah Thek.
Swiss Jean-Daniel Gachoud and his family were cheering for Australia. They had earlier gone to Melbourne to pick up their daughter after a year's study exchange.
'We stopped in Singapore because I wanted to come to the first Youth Olympic Games,' said Gachoud, who was the Swiss wrestling trainer at the Barcelona Olympic Games. 'The Barcelona Games were bigger of course, but this is a fantastic event,' he said.
Volleyball events are a big draw for Russians. More than 30 would turn up as supporters, said Alexander Slyzhov, 21, a Russian YOG volunteer. In the stands, many would wave flags and cheer in their native language: 'Russia go, Russia go, Russia go, we came here to win!'
As for Kazakhstani Saginayev Rakhymzhan, 22, it was a big thrill to see his country win medals in weightlifting and wrestling.
'It was a great moment when our national anthem was played and our national flag displayed.' said the third-year Nanyang Technological University student who is volunteering at the YOG. He said a group of 15 to 20 Kazakhstanis were here to cheer for their countrymen.
Many of them - in Singapore for the first time - were coaches to some of the athletes and family members.
But Rakhymzhan said he was pleasantly surprised by Singaporeans who rallied behind Kazakhstan athletes.
'It was a nice feeling to see Singaporean support and hear them screaming 'Go Kazakhstan!',' he said.
Peru fans going wild as the girls' volleyball team played Japan in a preliminary round game on Monday. --ST PHOTOS: VICTORIA VAUGHAN
TODAY
05:55 AM Aug 26, 2010
by Shamir Osman
Blood, sweat and tears. These three words are closely intertwined with sports, along with, of course, winning and losing.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Jacques Rogge wanted these Youth Olympic Games to be different - he wanted to see the fun factor reintroduced to sports - and he would have been pleased with what he has seen so far at the inaugural Games here.
Athletes have been blown away by the events in the Youth Olympic Village, from the Culture and Education Programme, to a day out at Outward Bound Singapore, along with parties organised within the confines of the village. In many ways, the Singapore Games have been fun on the court, at the track and on the field.
Singapore's football boys pulled the crowds back to the stadiums with their unadulterated displays on the pitch.
They were clearly having fun, and the crowd loved it.
The Cook Islands handball team may not have pulled in big crowds with their play, but their smiles won them the hearts of those watching.
They lost every single game here but they wore broad smiles every time they faced the cameras at courtside.
The athletes taking part in the mixed team events in nine sports had a ball.
The archery mixed team saw boys from one country paired with girls from another, a mix that has seen friendships blossom.
Italian Gloria Filippi kissed her Belarusian team-mate Anton Karoukin after what she described as a thoroughly enjoyable victory in the event.
But the Youth Olympics was not just fun and games - it was a sporting spectacle.
Singapore's Abdul Dayyan showed steely nerves to hit the bulls eye with his last shot to take bronze in the mixed team event; Chinese diver Qiu Bo wowed the crowds at the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex with a virtuoso performance worthy of the world stage en route to two gold medals, as did his compatriot, swimmer Tang Yi, who owned the pool with six golds of her own.
But it was the Republic's football boys who aptly summed up these Games with their 4-1 win over Montenegro in the bronze medal playoff last night. Singapore turned in a disciplined and inspired performance to exorcise their semi-final ghosts.
Like their teammates, skipper Jeffrey Lightfoot and Dhukhilan Jeevamani put their bodies on the line, both receiving cuts under their eyes. Following a collision in the eighth minute, Lightfoot ended up in hospital - he needed 15 stitches under the right eye.
The entire team shed blood, sweat and tears.
But it was their ear-to-ear smiles that truly lit up the Games.
The Straits Times
Aug 21, 2010
Games carried by 166 broadcasters worldwide, and is a hit on YouTube
By Bhagyashree Garekar, Assistant Foreign Editor
TORCH bearer Darren Choy's walk on water, the sheer promise of teen talent, and Singapore's sleek skyline have caught the world's attention since the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) kicked off last weekend.
A number of newspapers and TV channels in Asia and the West are paying more than a fleeting homage to the displays of the world's finest sporting talent in the making.
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said he was delighted by the television coverage and the YouTube hits garnered by the YOG.
'I'm very happy with the television coverage because we've been able to sign contracts with 166 broadcasters in so many countries,' he told The Straits Times at the Youth Olympic Village yesterday.
'The day before yesterday, we were the third most-watched item on YouTube in the world... that's something.'
China, a country known for its sporting prowess, is giving the Games play-by-play coverage.
State broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) telecast the opening ceremony live and since then has been beaming nine hours of action daily on its CCTV5 sports channel.
State news agency Xinhua and national newspapers like People's Daily and China Youth Daily have dispatched a contingent of reporters to Singapore.
The surprise is that even provincial papers like the Guangzhou Daily and the Nanjing Daily have boots on the ground.
The heightened interest is at least partly because the YOG torch next passes to Nanjing.
In Taiwan, the main news outlets such as United Daily News, China Times and the Central News Agency are more narrowly focused on the exploits of the 36-member Chinese Taipei delegation.
The reports are carried in the sports pages on most days, but on Wednesday, weightlifter Kuo Hsing-chun made front page news when she gave Taiwan its first medal, a silver.
The Japanese media is known to turn a blind eye even to the Asian Games or the Commonwealth Games unless a world record or a Japanese record is broken.
But Yomiuri Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun, the largest vernacular dailies, sat up when Japanese triathlete Yuka Sato bagged the first gold of the YOG. They have been running pictures daily, as well as short write-ups of the day's highlights.
The interest of the Indian media, including The Times of India and The Hindu, revolves around the fortunes of the national team. The coverage is thin, although New Delhi is itself preparing to host the Commonwealth Games in a few weeks.
In the Philippines, the two main broadsheets - The Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Philippine Star - have been playing up basketball, the nation's favourite sport. The Filipinos' narrow loss to the Spaniards was the lead sports story in The Philippine Star on Wednesday.
After splashing the opening ceremony, the Indonesian, Malaysian and Thai media tapered off their coverage - save for the performance of national athletes and some celebrity moments, like Monaco's Princess Stephanie watching her daughter dive.
But quite apart from the tales of little-known teenagers stoking national pride with their grace and grit, the YOG is being watched for the lessons it holds for future hosts.
On the eve of the YOG, The Advertiser, an Adelaide tabloid, led off a one-page curtain-raiser with this poser: 'The question on many South Australian lips will be: Could we do this?'
It said the city officials will assess the success of the Singapore YOG before considering a bid.
The Age, the Daily Telegraph, the Herald Sun and others are featuring the Games in scoreboards, snippets and occasional pictures to cater to sports-mad Australians.
The Guardian, The Independent and most other British dailies are paying special attention, because of the forthcoming London 2012 Olympics.
The Washington Post, not normally persuaded to run any sports story that is not about the American football team Redskins, put up a story on track-and-field athlete Olivia Ekpone on its Sports section cover, albeit at the bottom. She competed in the 200m dash on Thursday and will go on to London 2012.
The New York Times pounced on the controversial Iranian pullout from a taekwondo final against an Israeli.
The BBC and, to a lesser extent, CNN are also giving sporadic coverage to the YOG on their bulletins and websites.
bhagya@sph.com.sg
With input from ST foreign bureaus and Royston Sim in Singapore
Reports by Taiwan's United Daily News and China Times on the exploits of weightlifter Kuo Hsing-chun and other Chinese Taipei athletes. -- ST PHOTO: LEE SEOK HWAI
Channel NewsAsia
27 August 2010 0016 hrs
SINGAPORE: The inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore officially closed on Thursday, bringing the curtain down on 12 days of sporting competition and cultural and educational activities for athletes.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong graced the closing ceremony, which saw a kaleidoscope of songs, dances and an elaborate fireworks display at the Float@Marina Bay.
Beaming with pride was 12-year-old Nathania Ong, who led the audience in singing the national anthem of Singapore.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge closed the YOG and handed the Olympic flag over to the mayor of Chinese city Nanjing, the next host of the summer Youth Olympics in 2014.
Rogge was given rapturous applause by the 27,000-capacity crowd after telling Singapore they had done a "superb job" in hosting the Games.
"Congratulations Singapore for a job superbly done. You rose brilliantly to the challenge of combining elite sport, education and culture," Rogge said.
"Athletes, you proved you have learned what it means to be a true champion and not just a winner.
"These were truly inspirational Games," he added.
Dancers form an image of a star during the closing ceremony of the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. Photo: XINHUA/SYOGOC-Pool/Qi Heng
The Straits Times
Aug 26, 2010
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_571150.html
THE International Olympic Committee on Thursday presented eight Singaporeans with the Olympic Order in Silver in recognition of their contribution to the success of the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
The recipients included Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also president of the Singapore National Olympic Council and Dr Vivian Balakrishnan who is the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports.
Dr Ng Eng Hen, the Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence, also received the award.
The other recipients were:
- Dr Tan Eng Liang, vice president of the SNOC
- Mr Chris Chan, the secretary general of the SNOC
- Mr Goh Kee Nguan, the chief executive officer of Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC)
- Dr Francis Chong, Deputy CEO, SYOGOC and
- Mr Eric Tan Huck Gim, COO SYOGOC
Earlier this month, the IOC had presented the Olympic Order in Gold to President S R Nathan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in honour of Singapore's hosting of the first Youth Olympic Games.
IOC President Jacques Rogge also presented the Olympic Cup to the people of Singapore for their commitment to the Olympic ideals and contribution to the Olympic Movement by hosting a successful first YOG.
Recipients of the Olympic Order in Silver:
* Mr Teo Chee Hean, President of the Singapore National Olympic Council and Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore
* Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence
* Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports
* Dr Tan Eng Liang, Vice President of the Singapore National Olympic Council
* Mr Chris Chan, Secretary General of the Singapore National Olympic Council
* Mr Goh Kee Nguan, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee
* Dr Francis Chong, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee
* Mr Eric Tan Huck Gim, Chief Operating Officer, Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee
PM Lee Hsien Loong receiving the IOC Olympic Trophy on behalf of Singapore. -- PHOTO: SPH/ALBERT SIM
The Straits Times
Aug 26, 2010
By Leonard Lim
THE Government's projected $387 million tab for the Youth Olympic Games is more than triple the original estimates, but it will be money well-spent.
Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan said in a round-up on the YOG yesterday with local media: 'I have no doubt we will recoup our investment, both on the tangible side and intangible side of the ledger.
"The Singapore Government has not lost its bearings and its carefulness in the way we spend money.'
There has been criticism online on whether the money devoted to the Games, which end on Thursday, will benefit Singaporeans.
But MCYS said previously it has provided a fillip to businesses, with about $260 million worth of contracts awarded to local companies, and estimated tourism receipts of $57 million.
On the intangible side, Dr Balakrishnan said it would continue to brand the country as an excellent place to live, work and play.
'It's really part of our larger game plan of re-positioning Singapore. We now want to be one of the most exciting, happening, dynamic, vibrant places that cater to all needs,' he added.
Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan said in a round-up on the YOG yesterday with local media: 'I have no doubt we will recoup our investment, both on the tangible side and intangible side of the ledger. -- ST PHOTO: MALCOLM KOH
The Straits Times
Aug 26, 2010
SINGAPORE - IOC president Jacques Rogge on Thursday hailed the Youth Olympics in Singapore as exceeding all expectations as the inaugural Games drew to a close.
He deemed the event, for 14 to 18-year-olds, as a massive success.
'The Youth Olympic Games have exceeded vastly my highest expectations,' he said in his closing press conference.
'I always knew it would be well organised, but I did not expect this level of perfection,' added the IOC chief.
All 205 National Olympic Committee members sent athletes to Singapore, with 93 countries winning medals, a wider spread than usually seen at a traditional Olympics.
The next summer Youth Olympics will be held in Nanjing, China, in 2014 with a winter version in Innsbruck in 2012. -- AFP
'The Youth Olympic Games have exceeded vastly my highest expectations,' he said in his closing press conference. -- PHOTO: SPH-SYOGOC/GEOFFREY PEREIRA
The Straits Times
Aug 26, 2010
By Leonard Lim
A FIRE that burned brightly in the heart of Singapore for the past fortnight was doused at 9.01pm on Thursday, marking the end of a festival that set new markers for youth and sport.
It was an emotional moment, with the sombre notes from a flugel horn the prelude to the farewell of the Youth Olympic Flame at the Games' closing ceremony.
But in the words of one of the most powerful men in world sport, another symbol - the Singapore spirit - will live on.
With the stunning Marina Bay skyline as the backdrop, International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said to the 3,600 athletes: 'Years from now, when you reflect on your sports career, you will be able to say 'I was in Singapore, where it all began'.
'You will keep this Singapore spirit alive in your countries as true role models.'
No better way was this spirit embodied than in the infectious enthusiasm of more than 20,000 volunteers - many of who worked behind the scenes tirelessly.
Youth Olympics officially closed on Thursday amid glowing praise, bringing the curtain down on 12 days of sporting competition and cultural and educational activities for athletes. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
The Straits Times
Aug 26, 2010
THE Youth Olympic Games are only going to get bigger and better, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge insisted yesterday.
He sat down with 205 athletes nominated to represent their National Olympic Committees yesterday to hear feedback and discuss general feelings about the inaugural event in Singapore.
'Every four years, the YOG will go to another city and they will improve the quality of the event. I am very optimistic about the future,' he said. 'By the next YOG, there will be far more media attention. Here in Singapore, we had 1,100 journalists and 166 broadcasters.
'There were 5,000 videos downloaded on YouTube and four million people joining the Friends of YOG Facebook page. But we will endeavour to help publicise this event and make it even bigger. This is only the very first event.'
He admitted there had been initial concerns that the Culture and Education Programme would not be well received as the athletes would be more focused on competition.
'But now I don't have to prove it to them any more,' said Rogge. 'We are most definitely considering introducing a limited Culture and Education Programme into the traditional Olympic Games. There is definitely a place for it - it's too late for London but perhaps in Rio. We have to see how we can adapt it for the different age category.'
He also revealed that the IOC is in talks to prepare a similar youth games for the Paralympics.
The athletes had a chance to field questions for Rogge yesterday. One Jamaican runner asked if they should consider themselves Olympic athletes.
Rogge's response was emphatic.
'You will be a Young Olympian for the rest of your life,' he said. 'You won't be young forever, but being a Young Olympian is something they can never take away from you.'
Meanwhile, the Nanjing Organising Committee for YOG 2014 has promised a 'thrifty and highly efficient' event, although it refused to be drawn on the exact budget.
The committee already aims to deploy a volunteer force of 30,000 people, 6,000 of them language assistants. The volunteer force at the Singapore Games numbers 20,000.
At long last the 3088 individually crafted mural tiles by the sporting world's young athlete ambassadors who participated in last year's Youth Olympic Games in Singapore are now permanently mounted on the side wall at the Esplanade MRT.
More pictures can be found in "Singapore Also Can":
http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php/69880-Singapore-Also-Can?p=1747763&posted=1#post1747763
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