Singapore all set for Youth Olympic Games
The first ever Youth Games are set to start in Singapore from the 14th of August with fans and tourists' in the East Asian country gearing up for all the excitement. The Games were officially launched as the flame arrived in the country earlier in the week.
The flame made its way to Singapore from Seoul, South Korea after its worldwide tour. The flame has made its run across the world, making its presence in all five continents after starting its run from Greece.
Ever since its arrival at the venue of the Games, the excitement has been palpable as the nation prepares for the multi-cultural extravaganza. It will be Singapore’s first major sporting event that would be a gauge of its readiness to host bigger international events in the years to come.
Some 2,400 participants took the torch around Singapore with every runner doing the rounds with approximately a 100 meter run. The torch is set to be relayed for six days with the Games set to get underway from the 14th August.
The flame relay has become the talk of the town as supporters and fans from all over the country await their turn to welcome the torch in their area. Most of the athletes thoroughly enjoyed the festivity, making their way through a damp and rainy day.
The island was ready to party and dance, flocking around the streets and presenting the look of a united nation geared up for the sporting extravaganza. It proves that Singapore is all set to welcome thousands of athletes from around the world.
The relay began in the Tao Payoh area of the island and then travelled to the central-north portions of the country. The northern area of the country including Bishan and Ang Mo Kio also caught a glimpse of the flame.
Some of the leading organizers in the country including sporting administrators were present in various localities to ensure that the march of the torch was a memorable experience for the fans and participants alike.
One of the organizers felt that this was a proud moment for the country, which is expected to unite the nation and spark a wave of enthusiasm in Singapore.
"We are very proud that our nation is the first country in the world to organize a youth Olympics, and nobody else has done it, or initiated it. I hope that it is ongoing, and Singapore being the first country, we are very, very proud of that," he concluded
Member Singapore Parliament Inderjit Singh was also there to witness the festivities. He echoed the sentiments of the organizers and hoped that the event was held without any security problems.
"I think we are all here to create history and the whole community, as you can see, is waiting to see the torch pass through here. And all of us are giving 100 percent support. We hope this will be a successful YOG for the future of our youth and of the Olympics. This is important for us," Singh said.
On Saturday, the torch run concluded at the Nanyang Polytechnic University. At the end of the run, an official ceremony was held which was attended by Singapore's President S.R. Natha.
The premier received the flame from the last participant who finished his run, amid rapturous applause from the people flocked at the venue.
The torch would stay at Marina Bay where the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games will be held. The event ends on 26th August.
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