IOC Inspects YOG Preparations in Singapore

The IOC coordination commission meets with SYOGOC to discuss preparations for the 2010 Summer Youth Olympic Games. (Singapore 2010)Preparations are on schedule for the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2010 the IOC coordination commission announced as it wrapped up its two-day visit to Singapore on Wednesday.

In a press release, the commission stated that it was satisfied with the progress the Singapore Youth Olympic Games organizing committee (SYOGOC) is making toward the event, which will make its debut Aug. 14-26, 2010.

“Presentations were of a high standard and the level of detail was a clear reflection of the solid planning work SYOGOC is currently undertaking. It is clear that SYOGOC is on the right track to deliver the first Summer Youth Olympic Games and is committed to the co-construction of these inaugural Games with the IOC,” said IOC Executive Vice President and commission chairman Sergei Bubka in the press release.

It’s the second visit to Singapore for the commission, which made its first inspection trip in early November 2008.

Bubka led the delegation that included Olympic Games executive director Gilbert Felli, athletes commission chairman Frank Fredericks and international federation representative Andrew Ryan as well as members Nat Indrapana, Syed Shahid Ali, Raja Randhir Singh, Rania Elwani and Guido de Bondt.

The commission reports that SYOGOC has nearly finalized the sports program, including the daily competition schedule, as well as the culture and education program.

“In the last six months, the organizing committee has worked hard towards the completion of its venue master plan and YOG event schedule by day. Much effort has also gone into detailed operational and venue planning, which will remain SYOGOC’s focus for the coming months. It will IOC Executive Vice President Sergei Bubka greets SYOGOC chairman and IOC member Ng Ser Miang at the unveiling ceremony for the 2010 Youth Summer Olympic Games sport pictograms. (Singapore 2010)be important for SYOGOC to keep up the tremendous momentum it has built up so far as it moves toward operational readiness,” Bubka said.

The next step for SYOGOC will be the continued development of the venues, which will be the main focus for the organization over the second half of the year, according to SYOGOC chairman and IOC executive board member Ser Miang Ng.

“We are in the midst of venue planning to synthesize the various functional areas’ operations plans at each venue. This will be completed in the second half of the year as we prepare to enter the operational readiness planning phase in September 2009,” said Ng in a statement.

The global economic downturn was also a topic of discussion in Singapore, with Bubka assuring that the Summer YOG is on firm financial footing.

“The IOC is in good financial condition," Bubka said. "The crisis that exists today in the world won't impact on the participation of the athletes."

Ng told the IOC Coordination Commission and SYOGOC members pose with some Singapore school children at the sport pictogram unveiling. (Singapore 2010) Associated Press that Singapore is spending $75 million on the event and that sponsorships have been lined up, though some sponsors are offering services instead of cash.

“We’re fortunate that we have secured the necessary financing for the games,” Ng said. “But with the economy how it is, we’re definitely getting less cash sponsors than in-kind sponsors.”

The commission also witnessed the unveiling of the pictograms for the 26 sports that will be contested at the Summer YOG in 2010 at a ceremony on Wednesday. The pictograms were inspired by the YOG logo, which features a flaming head and star-shaped body.

Written by Greg Oshust.