Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, representing the Singapore government and President Jacques Rogge for the IOC sign the contract for YOG2010.

SINGAPORE and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) sealed the deal on Monday for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games.
The ceremony took place at the Istana at about 7.30 pm with Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, representing the Singapore government and President Jacques Rogge for the IOC.

Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Dr Balakrishnan said the event re-affirms the commitment of both parties to hold a successful game.

The ceremony also marked the end of a whirlwind tour of Singapore for Dr Rogge who visited Victoria Junior College, the National Unversity of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and the Singapore Sports School, all in one day.

Dr Rogge got a chance to look at the facilities and was happy that Singapore are not building white elephants just to hold the games.

For example, the games village will be transformed into NUS’ University Town after the games.

Dr Rogge said in a press conference before the signing ceremony that the idea behind the YOG is to get more youths back into sport as more and more of them are glued to their computer and television screens.

Noting that not all young people can qualify to compete at the games, Dr Rogge said that there are other ways they can participate - one of which is to be a volunteer at the games.

Source: Straits Times Interactive, 5 April 2008. Photo: Desmond Lim, ST.