So Far So Good; Tickets Sold Out; Games' Biggest Surprise

So Far So Good for Games

"So far so good, if not great". That’s the assessment of the Youth Olympic Games from the IOC’s YOG head.

Essar Gabriel tells Around the Rings that despite the praise, the IOC is "very cautious" heading into the final week of the Games, saying they are "far from finished".

"The translation from a vision was a question, but it’s a proven translation.

"Athletes are also buying into the Culture and Education Programme, which for us is something new and we’re really satisfied with the buy-in.

"All the actors on the ground are satisfied."

The spread of medals is "very refreshing," Gabriel said.

One of the biggest lessons for the IOC so far is that "the Youth Olympic Games bring a lot of conviviality".

"The fact that there are smaller venues, the flow at the back of house, media and athletes are not segregated. Even the transport system is a common one. It's great, it creates a sense of conviviality."

For next time, Gabriel said the IOC is "continuing to assess" what should be done differently, but he predicts "there are some things operationally to tweak.

"Increase dialogue with International Federations to discuss what we have been able to implement.

"We will access data of attendance of the Culture and Education Programme and better understand a lot of things."

A formal debrief of the Games will come in two stages. Singapore’s organizers will transfer their knowledge to Nanjing in January, according to Gabriel, and the IOC will have a debrief with SYOGOC "as early as September, October or November."

Some federations have used the YOG as a testing ground for new or modified disciplines. For example, basketball is only staging a 3 on 3 tournament, and triathlon introduced the team relay event.

Whether the YOG needs more of those disciplines "is a question we would like to explore.

"What we’ve been hearing is that [International Federations] have perhaps been going for different disciplines. This is something the IOC would be open to hear".

Another change from the traditional Games—around 5% of all medals are up for grabs in disciplines with either mixed gender teams, or teams that come from mixed National Olympic Committees.

At this stage of the Games, 60 countries have won medals, nearly one third of all countries competing.

Gabriel says while the results may be surprising to some, he isn’t sure it should be a shock.

"[International Federations] see the pattern that performing at a certain age does not mean you will perform at the same level at another age". He says the spread of medals is likely due to "an aggregation of patterns" and "the ability for National Olympic Committees to look at developing further the grassroots.

"That’s the beauty of an Olympics, there can be surprises."

It would be interesting, Gabriel said, to study the performance of athletes at the YOG and their performance in junior world championships to see if there is a change.

Gabriel came to the IOC in 2007 to lead the development of the YOG. He said "it is really rewarding to see the unfolding from the organizingcommittee. All stakeholders are weighing in with positive responses. We really need to continue the openness and conviviality".

The Games end on Aug. 26 and Gabriel hopes the Games will continue at their current level.

"Fingers crossed" he said.

All Sports Sold Out

Organizers of the YOG said on Friday tickets for all sports except girls football were sold out.

Any extra tickets available in athletics, badminton, table tennis, boxing, judo, handball, canoe/kayak, football, hockey, tennis and volleyball will be available on site.

However, tickets will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis and there is no guarantee for tickets.

Games "Biggest Surprise in the World"

The Youth Olympic Games are "the biggest surprise in the world," according to IOC member Alex Gilady.

Gilady tells Around the Rings that while he was not skeptical of the Games, before he came to Singapore he "could not fathom" their size.

"There is now a life of its own" he said. "Media will treatthe Games better; it is a new property for the IOC."

He claims every successful Games needs "three ingredients", which Singapore has. "You need the will of the athletes to compete at a high level ... excellent organization from the International Federations ... and you need to feed the athletes."

While he rates these Games as "fantastic," Gilady said the YOG should not become "too posh" or "take it to the level of luxurious".

Control Games Costs

IOC vice president Thomas Bach says the IOC should limit the costs of the Youth Olympic Games.

That way, he claims, more countries will be able to host the YOG instead of "the same relatively small, exclusive circle of (developed) countries capable of holding Olympic Games.

"A country which is able to organize Olympic Games should therefore not be considered as a host for Youth Olympic Games."

Singapore's YOG budget nearly tripled.

Bach said to help control costs, building any new venues for the YOG should not be required.

Visa: YOG Benefiting Economy

Olympic sponsor Visa says the YOG is benefiting Singapore’s economy.

The credit card company claims $42.5 million in purchases on Visa cards were made Aug. 11-15, an increase of 45% from 2009.

"The YOG looks to have started on a positive note for the local economy and businesses," said Meranda Chan, Visa’s country manager for Singapore and Brunei.

On Aug. 14, the first day of the Games, $8.3 million was spent on Visa cards, an increase of nearly 50% from last year.

Saturday’s Events

Boxing, canoe/kayak, diving, judo, modern pentathlon, table tennis and volleyball start Friday.

Archery and tennis competition ends Saturday.

Medals awarded in artistic gymnastics and athletics.

Basketball, equestrian, football, handball, hockey and sailing tournaments continue.

Gilbert Felli, the IOC’s executive director for Olympic Games holds a press conference at the Main Press Centre.

ATR coverage of the Youth Olympic Games

is Proudly Presented by Annecy 2018

Written by Ed Hula III.