Singapore to Host Inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2010

Singapore to Host Inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2010

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has selected Singapore to be the host city for the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2010. The IOC announced its decision in Lausanne, Switzerland on 21 February 2008.

The announcement was broadcast “live” in front of an enthusiastic crowd gathered at the Padang for YOG 2010 The Final Countdown event to celebrate the city-state’s participation in the YOG 2010 candidacy race.

“It is undoubtedly a historic moment for Singapore to be selected as Host City for the inaugural YOG in 2010. By choosing Singapore, the IOC has declared that it is possible for small young cities like Singapore to host the Olympic movement. The people of Singapore and all our friends overseas will celebrate tonight. Tomorrow morning, the hard work begins. I know we will succeed because every Singaporean will go all out to welcome the youth of the world to Singapore in 2010,” said Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth, and Sports.

Minister for Defence and President of the Singapore National Olympic Council Mr Teo Chee Hean said, “As a young nation, it is a great honour to be selected to host the world’s first Youth Olympic Games. We have taken our first step to becoming an Olympic City, and we look forward to working with the IOC, the International Sports Federations and the National Olympic Committees around the world to deliver a great Youth Olympic Games in 2010.”

Singapore’s bid included a comprehensive Education and Culture Programme. The country’s proposed plan for YOG 2010 also includes the following features: world-class IT infrastructure, strong governance and finance, an efficient transportation system, and reliable security. The compactness of the city-state and the efficient public transport system also ensure that sports venues and facilities, the Youth Olympic Village and accommodation facilities will be within 30 minutes traveling time of one another.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth, and Sports Mr Teo Ser Luck said, “Singapore’s win would not have been possible without the tremendous show of support by Singaporeans from all walks of life and the business sector. They have been supporting the bid in so many ways, such as putting together “Support Singapore” videos, websites, banners, T-shirts and car decals; collecting signatures and pledges in support of Singapore 2010, and carrying “I support Singapore 2010” on corporate collaterals. The overall effect of showing the IOC members and the world of the nation’s collective commitment to hosting the Youth Olympic Games has made a difference.”

The 2010 YOG will be hosted in Singapore in August 2010. The inaugural YOG is expected to see some 5,000 athletes aged 14-18 and officials participating in 26 sports.

Vice-President of Singapore National Olympic Council and IOC Member Mr Ng Ser Miang said, “I would like to thank the tremendous vote of confidence that my fellow IOC members have placed in Singapore. To ensure that Singapore delivers the YOG that we have promised in our bid, there is not a single minute to lose. The organising team has already started work on the ground to make sure that come August 2010, the world will witness a sporting event for youths that will inspire people of all ages around the world.”

The IOC announcement concludes seven months of keen competition among eleven contending cities1 that started in July 2007 with the announcement of the YOG concept at the IOC Session in Guatemala City.

Singapore, along with Athens, Bangkok, Turin, and Moscow, were subsequently shortlisted in a reduced field of five cities on 19 November 2007. The list was further reduced to two – Singapore and Moscow - on 21 January 2008. Singapore was eventually chosen over Moscow by IOC members via a final postal voting round that closed on 15 February 2008.

About Singapore’s YOG 2010 Bid

Singapore, a vibrant and cosmopolitan economic and financial powerhouse situated in the heart of Southeast Asia, is home to 4.5 million people, including a large expatriate population that works for the 7,000 multinational companies and home-grown enterprises in this modern, multicultural, and international city-state.

Singapore’s bid for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) 2010 has been well received by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Singapore’s bid fully embraces the Olympic spirit and features a fully integrated Sport, Education and Culture Programme that will allow Olympians and their peers to interact, build lasting friendships, and discuss sports, global, and community issues.