Youth Olympic Games concludes. Organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC),
the international multi-sport event that ended August 26 in Singapore featured the talents
of over 3,600 athletes aged 14 to 18 years. Our correspondent shares more on location.
Singaporean Correspondent for SMTV: We’re here at the Marina Bay in Singapore, where
the Youth Olympic Games 2010 has come to a successful close. The past 12 days have been
filled with exceptional performances from 3,600 international athletes who have been
giving their best in 26 different sports, with many of them surpassing their own records.
Askeeyah Passma, swimmer from Aruba (f): I swam really good so I’m really happy.
VOICE: Among these feats was China’s weightlifter Deng Wei, who set a new world junior record
for the girls’ 58-kilogram event as fellow Chinese athlete Tan Yi attained junior world
records in three swimming events. The United Kingdom’s Sam Oldham also garnered a gold
medal in a gymnastics event.
Singaporean Correspondent for SMTV: Countries whose athletes have emerged in the lead with
top numbers of gold medals include China, Russia, and South Korea.
VOICE: Notable wins also included the Bolivia boys’ soccer gold, as the Haitian team brought
pride and joy to their still-recovering nation with an admirable silver medal-winning performance.
In the girls’ soccer tournament, Chile’s team dedicated their gold medal to the 33
miners awaiting rescue in the country’s northern goldmine. Australian and Pakistan
came out in the lead for boys’ hockey, and Qui Bo, a 17-year-old diver from China, won
a gold medal in the 3-meter springboard during what was the world’s first nighttime open
air diving competition. In the windsurfing, Israel’s Mayan Rafic clinched gold for the
boys’ Techno 293 competition, as Thailand’s Siripon Kaewduang-Ngam attained a remarkable
five consecutive races for the girls’ event.
Roseanne Daniel, Track & Fielf from St. Lucia, (m): I think the Youth Olympic Games are very
great, the people are very friendly, the competitions are very exciting. I learned the qualities
of respect, friendship, excellence and how they are linked together.
Singaporean Correspondent for SMTV: Along with engaging in sports, the athletes coming
together for this year’s Youth Olympics also have a better appreciation of different
countries’ culture and learned about the importance of protecting the environment through
the cultural and educational program organized for them.
VOICE: Indeed, the IOC emphasized the cultural and educational value of the Games and implemented
multi-lingual and multi-cultural requirements to ensure the fulfillment of the theme, “Learning
to know, learning to be, learning to do, and learning to live together.” Meanwhile, the
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) sponsored a series of fun and educational
activities to raise eco-awareness and encourage better stewardship of the environment.
Julian, Student Volunteer (f): Youth Olympics is really fun. It’s quite a good opportunity
to promote racial harmony.
Askeeyah Passma, swimmer from Aruba (f): The nicest thing is that you meet people all over
the world and see stuff differently because you meet them and talk with them, it’s really
nice.
Singaporean Correspondent for SMTV: The games culminated in a grand closing ceremony. This
is Supreme Master Television reporting from Singapore.
VOICE: We join the world in congratulating all participant athletes as we thank the International
Olympic Committee, the United Nations and host Singapore for a memorable inaugural event.
May the Olympic spirit of good sportsmanship, healthy fitness and friendship continue to
shine to all corners of the world.
Youth Olympic Swimmers: Youth Olympics! Yay! �