Ninety-Nine Days to the Youth Olympic Games
The official countdown to the first-ever Youth Olympic Games began today, with 99 days remaining until the festivities commence in Singapore. The city, also a country, was home to celebrations today as it prepares for its inaugural moment as center of the Olympic Movement.
These first Youth Olympic Games will include 3,600 athletes from 205 countries, all between the ages of 14 and 18. Not only will they compete in 26 sports, but they will also partake in an extensive culture and education program to understand and be aware of the important values inherent in the Olympic Movement.
“We are ready!” the Singapore Organizing Committee proclaimed today, as thousands of residents came out for celebration events that included fireworks displays, sport carnivals and athletic competitions. It is truly an engaged and excited Host City, ready for the historic Games that run August 14 to 26.
Marking the 99-day countdown, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has launched a photograph competition on Flickr to try and capture the spirit of the Youth Olympic Games. The prize: being an official Olympic photographer in Singapore this summer. Visit: www.flickr.com/groups/youtholympics.
You can also see 99-second videos featuring swimming great Michael Phelps and pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva, who are official Youth Olympic Games ambassadors. Visit www.facebook.com/youtholympicgames. And meet Callum Ng, Canada’s Young Ambassador for Singapore 2010, in his welcome video here: http://assets.olympic.org/YOG/en/news.html.
Get ready for the excitement, these Games are coming fast!
