The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has selected Singapore as the one of two candidates in the final shortlist. The other bidding cities are Turin, Athens and Bangkok.
Our community is rallying behind our bid to host the first-ever Youth Olympic Games. Over 500 businesses and organisations have also thrown their support behind Singapore's bid.
Singapore is hoping the IOC will favour a smaller city that would otherwise never host an Olympiad. Moscow and Singapore emerged tops in governance and guarantees, finance, the Youth Olympic Village, competition venues and transport.
There will be some 3,500 athletes, from ages 14 to 18, competing in 26 sports events in the Youth Olympic Games.At the same time, these athletes who come from very different cultures, speak different languages but share a love of sports will be taking part in education and cultural programmes. One of the underlying themes of the Olympic movement is that : Athletes can be adversaries on the field, but friends in life.
A ground breaking ceremony was held on 31st January 2008 to mark the start of construction works for the Youth Olympic Village. It was officiated by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National University of Singapore (NUS). The US$423 million (S$500 - 600 million) project will be completed in February 2010, half a year before the start of the inaugural Youth Olympic Game.
PM Lee Hsien Loong has given a very strong endorsement for Singapore's bid for YOG 2010
"We are a young nation and a small city state, but we have built a trusted brand name internationally as a reliable partner, able to get things done, and deliver on what we promise. And for this first Youth Olympic Games, I am confident that we can deliver a high-quality, memorable event that will celebrate the spirit of the Games, strengthen the Olympic movement, leave a lasting impact on young people around the world, and be a fabulous launch for our University Town.
"Singapore is home to 4.5 million people. A huge expatriate population works for the 7,000 multinational companies and home-grown enterprises in this modern, multi-cultural and cosmopolitan city. It's a vibrant economic and financial powerhouse in Southeast Asia.It is critical to get the whole country excited about it. Car decals and stickers will be distributed island-wide as part of the 'I Support Singapore 2010' campaign.Singaporeans can pen their support at
http://www.singapore2010.sg/
Countdown: Result will be announced on
21st Feb 2008, 6pm @ Padang.
