Youth Olympic Games 2010 - Opening Ceremony

Two and a half years ago, Singapore was given the responsibility to host the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. Two and a half years in comparison to seven years to prepare for the games; it was a tall order but Singapore have pulled off an absolutely amazing start to this new addition to the Olympics. Only a week after the NDP, Singapore once again hosted an enormous event with some 27,000 spectators in the stands and many thousands, if not millions worldwide in the international audience.

The Youth Olympic Torch - Robinson Road

Once again using the back-drop of the city-scape and a floating platform on Marina Bay, the events unfolded, telling the story of the young athletes’ hopes, dreams, fears and struggles. This time there was no military hardware and only one suitably unifying song; including the lyrics “you are the one, Singapore. Now is the time, here we go, yeh!” It was quite a show. True to most Olympic opening ceremonies, there was the underlying story-line that was narrated by the TV presenter, but most of all it was about the spectacle, the grandeur, the big vision of it all.
And Singapore did not disappoint, despite the fact that the venue is a multi-purpose landing stage on the Bay, it doubles as the platform for the F1 Grand Prix and other international events, the scale of the show was immense. Not to mention the fireworks and the vortex Olympic flame that I hope to get a picture of at the closing ceremony.Three thousand, six hundred young athletes from 204 represented countries will experience something akin to a cultural exchange trip over the next 13 days. While they all take part in their respective sports, they will also be exposed to a structured cultural differences program, and an international education program. It’s a brave new plan from the International Olympic Committee from Switzerland, but one that fits exceptionally well with the young nation of Singapore.
I was exceptionally impressed with the ceremony and have just booked tickets to the closing ceremony. Let’s just hope the weather holds! I can’t imagine sitting in rain for a few hours would be fun. I’ll update you in a couple of weeks!


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