IOC president Jacques Rogge yesterday said he felt like an expectant father waiting for his baby to be born as the Belgian’s Youth Olympic Games dream comes true. The inaugural event for 14-to-18 year olds, which officially opened in Singapore yesterday, is a project Rogge has championed since becoming IOC chief in 2001.
“I feel like a father in the delivery room waiting for it to happen,” Jacques Rogge said at a press conference.
“I’m optimistic, but still want to see the baby being born. I believe in the concept and this is shared by stakeholders and the Olympic community,” he added.
The showpiece is designed as a stepping stone for young athletes striving to compete at an Olympics proper.
But it is also about encouraging youths to take up sport and spend less time glued to their computer screens.
Some 3,600 athletes will compete in the 26 events that make up the Olympics, with a simultaneous cultural and education programme running to teach them about Olympic values and global issues.
To keep it interesting, some of the traditional sports have been adapted. There will even be competitions with mixed teams from different nationalities.
“All these are designed to appeal to a younger audience and inspire the young athletes,” said Rogge, who is optimistic the concept will be embraced for years to come.
“I’m absolutely thrilled by the organisation and what Singapore has done in the past two-and-a-half years is remarkable,” he said.
“I’m also pleased with the universality of the Games with 205 Olympic countries sending athletes. It’s been an ambitious project and we will watch how it goes closely.
“There will probably be mistakes made but we will learn from them and I’m optimistic this will be the start of great things for the Youth Olympic Games.”
While ticket sales for some events have been sluggish, Rogge said key Olympic stakeholders had been impressed with what they have seen so far and he was also buoyed by the global interest.
“I’m very pleased with the worldwide interest. The IOC has signed 106 countries to air part or all of the events,” he said.
“Twenty-five countries will air live all of the opening and closing ceremonies. It’s a very good presence.”
For tiny Singapore, it is more invaluable exposure in its drive to prove it can compete on the global stage, despite budgets reportedly tripling to 387 million dollars (US$284 million).
“Everything we do has to be world class. We must aim high despite our size,” said Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishan.
“With imagination, team work and superior organisation, we can do it.
“This is the larger context for our hosting of the YOG, and also why we have been hosting the F1 Grand Prix, International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings, and many other international events, in recent times.”
The Youth Olympics come to a close on August 26.
Maltese Athletes
The Maltese Olympic Committee will be represented by four athletes at the Youth Games.
These are: Jeremy Saywell (judo), Mark Sammut (swimming) and track and field duo Tamara Vella and Marija Sciberras.