Saturday, 14th August 2010, will see some 3'600 talented young athletes between the ages of 14 and 18 from around the world attend the opening ceremony of the first edition of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore. The YOG will run from 14th to 26th August. It will feature exciting new sporting competitions, cultural and educational activities and be supported by an extensive use of social media to reach out and spark the interest of young people around the world. TV broadcast is planned in over 160 territories across all five continents as well as online, both live and as video on demand, on the Youth Olympic Games broadcast platform www.youtholympicgames.org, or at www.youtube.com/olympicsingapore2010
The ultimate goal is to engage young people around the world in sports, active lifestyles and the Olympic values. In addition to top-class competition in the sports on the program of the Olympic Games, spectators will be treated to some new events, including 3-on-3 basketball, head-to-head canoe and kayak, and cycling combined (BMX/mountain bike/road). There will also be team competitions for teams made up of different nationalities and for teams containing both girls and boys. These mixed events are meant to strengthen bonds between the athletes and foster better understanding of each other's cultures and backgrounds.
The Youth Olympic Games will also feature a Culture and Education Program (CEP) with fun activities designed to provide guidance to the participants on a wide range of topics, including Olympic values, the benefits of leading healthy lifestyles and the prevention of sports injuries, among others.
Olympic champions Usain Bolt, Yelena Isinbaeva and Michael Phelps are among stars who have volunteered to be Youth Olympic Games Ambassadors while 30 Young Ambassadors were nominated by their NOCs to take part in the CEP only. 29 budding journalists between the ages of 18 and 24, will work as Young Reporters, capturing the action in Singapore.
Contributed by IOC
