Top Story Replay: Final Countdown for Youth Olympic Games, Isinbayeva Offers Inspiration

100 Days Until YOG

With 100 days until the Singapore Youth Olympic Games, the IOC coordination committee visits for the last time before the Games.

The IOC Coordination Committee started its three-day inspection on Wednesday. The coordination committee will witness SYOGOC celebrating 99 days until the Games on Friday with a party in downtown Singapore. During the party, SYOGOC will present Games and sell official merchandise.

Most Games officials say preparations are going well. Last week, IOC President Jacques Rogge, IOC Singapore Coordination Committee Chair Sergey Bubka and SYOGOC chairman Ser Miang Ng told reporters that Singapore is ready to host the Games.

"We continue to fine tune our preparations based on the feedback that we received," Ng said. "We are happy to say that we will be ready to receive the world come August 14."

The inaugural YOG will take place from August 14 to 26. IOC created the YOG on July 6, 2007 at the 119th IOC Session in Guatemala City. Singapore won 2010 Games in Nov. 2007 and Innsbruck, Austria will host the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012.

"I am very glad by what has been achieved in a very short period," Rogge said. "We found very good organizers. I am very pleased with the progress of Singapore and Innsbruck."

While Rogge praised the organizing efforts, he stressed that the major challenge of the YOG will be educating youth. Athletes will take part in educational programs stressing the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.

"I believe we have the duty to give them this kind of education. Hopefully, they will get most of it," Rogge said. "Hopefully, they will listen to us but it would be an abandonment of our moral responsibility to say that we are not going to do anything."

To promote a spirit of international friendship, the YOG features a few modifications from the traditional Olympics. For example, some sports will feature co-ed events and some teams might consist of participants from multiple nations.

"We want to combine education with athletic activity. This is not just a world junior championship. It is more than that," Rogge said.

Great Expectations

Olympic pole-vaulting legend Yelena Isinbayeva tells Around the Rings she hopes to inspire young athletes to great performances at the Youth Olympics in her new role as an ambassador for the Singapore YOG.

"I am happy I can help them and share my experiences with the youngsters," the two-time Olympic gold medallist told ATR Wednesday.

Isinbayeva, 27, said she will promote the Olympic values ahead of the Games and during the event, telling the athletes aged 14-18 to have fun.

"They must enjoy every second, every minute in the Olympic Village and on the track or anywhere else. Of course, they must have some fun but they should stay focused because they are not tourists," said the Russian, who has set 27 world records in the pole vault.

"But they don't have to feel pressure from anyone. We know they are still young. It is just the first step for them for a good career in professional sport.

"They have the chance to show themselves around the world. I am sure some of the young athletes will be famous worldwide and people will follow their careers in the future."

Isinbayeva says she hopes to emulate Ukrainian pole vaulting great Sergey Bubka, who was a role model for her when she was finding her way in sport. The chairman of the IOC coordination commission for the Singapore YOG is a friend she can now turn to for advice.

"He is like a mentor for me. He showed by his example that everything is possible. Everything you can achieve with hard work and believing in yourself," she added.

"I would like to explain my experiences to the next generation."

Isinbayeva, the 2009 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, joins US swimming star Michael Phelps in becoming an ambassador of the Singapore YOG. IOC president Jacques Rogge, commenting on her appointment last week, described Isinbayeva as "a true role model for young people".

Isinbayeva, who announced in April that she is taking an indefinite break from competitions, has not set any targets for a return to competition this year.

"I cannot say anything regarding this year. I'm just following my personal wishes. It's a necessary break for my body to recover," she told ATR, adding that she needed the rest after more than eight years of tough training and competing at the highest levels both indoors and outdoors.

"For next year, I will be doing a plan with my coach and then will announce my schedule."

This is certain to include the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

But she said preparations for the London 2012 Olympics is her main goal. "Of course I am looking forward to it. This is my main competition," she said.

Written by Mark Bisson and Sam Steinberg.