One giant games village!
As more details of the games bid comes leaking out, we’ll be here keeping you informed about just everything we can lay our hands on as well. Here’s the first piece of tidbit coming out!
Singapore to sell itself as one giant Games Village
SINGAPORE will be turned into one giant Games Village if it wins the bid to host the 2010 inaugural Youth Olympics.
The Republic’s concept plan calls for a mix of five heartland and city venues, with easy access between them.
It is a unique mix which should stand Singapore’s bid in good stead, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports Teo Ser Luck told The Straits Times on Friday after a press update on the bid.
Though Mr Teo declined to give details, The Straits Times understands that the East Coast will be home to the sailing events, while the football competition will be held at the Bishan and possibly the Jurong West stadiums.
Bishan will also host the athletics competition, while swimming will be staged at the Sports School in Woodlands.
Downtown Singapore will also be a hive of activity: the opening and closing ceremonies will be staged at the Marina Bay floating platform, while several indoor sports will be held within the Suntec Convention Centre.
The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Hotel will host members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and VIPs.
Even the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort, to be completed by 2009, has been roped in. It is the planned site for the media centre for the Games.
As for the expected 3,500 athletes, they will be put up at the National University of Singapore’s planned University Town @ Warren.
Yesterday, Mr Teo, an adviser to the Singapore Youth Olympics Bid Committee, said: ‘We have the unique opportunity to sell Singapore as one big Games Village.
‘Because we are an island state, we can bring the Games to anywhere on the island. From the heartland to the city, we’ll be introducing the athletes to every aspect of Singaporeans’ lives.
‘We’ll show that being small is beautiful.’
The unique Games concept is expected to be a significant part of Singapore’s candidature file when it is submitted to the IOC on Oct 26.
Read the full story in Saturday’s edition of The Straits Times.
- Copyright of Singapore Press Holdings, written by Marc Lim, Straits Times Interactive 12 Oct 2007
Ivan @ October 13, 2007
