More than 5000 join in one year countdown to first Youth Olympic Games

Youth Olympic Games 1 year countdown

Singaporeans mark the one year countown to the inaugural Youth Olympic Games at the Padang. (Photo courtesy of Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee)

Padang, Friday, August 14, 2009 - Professor S Jayakumar, Senior Minister and Co-ordinating Minister for National Security, unveiled the Countdown Clock to mark 365 days to the first Youth Olympic Games (YOG) at the One Year Countdown event at 2010 hours at the Padang.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Mr Teo Ser Luck, Mayor, North East District and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports & Transport, Mr Ng Ser Miang, Chairman, Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) and Mr Christophe Berthaud, General Manager of Swiss Timing, were also present at the ceremony.

The One Year Countdown event was a milestone event signifying that Singapore is one year away from the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games, and it was marked by the unveiling of the Countdown Clock set against the historic City Hall. The event also celebrated the progress that Singapore has made as well as our readiness to host the first YOG. More than 5,000 enthusiasts, supporters, volunteers, government agencies, official sponsors and National Sports Associations (NSAs) turned up for the celebration at the Padang.

"Today signifies our one-year mark from the YOG and we are excited to see the crowd that turned up for this evening's celebration. We thank everyone, who is here tonight, for coming onboard with us on the Singapore 2010 journey. Delivering this once in a life-time international YOG that we can be proud of will require the participation of everyone, especially the people in Singapore. For those who have yet to join us, we hope that you will do so soon. Together, we can deliver a meaningful and memorable YOG", said Mr Goh Kee Nguan, Chief Executive Officer of SYOGOC.

Highlights of the event also included the YOG Carnival, Olympic Day Run, stage performances by our local youths and a celebration concert and party.

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