THE Youth Olympic Games held in August 2010 was the largest and most complex international event ever organised in Singapore. It involved more than 7,500 athletes and officials representing 204 regions around the world contesting in all 26 Olympic sports.

There were over 50,000 volunteers, staff and contractors responsible for the Games.  More than 280,000 spectators caught the action live on the ground, whilst the International Olympic Committee estimated a media reach exceeding 266 million people worldwide and a marketing value of S$56.7 million. The event also generated S$60 million in additional tourism receipts for Singapore. The YOG was a major branding opportunity for Singapore. It showcased a beautiful, vibrant city with excellent infrastructure and people with good organisational capability. Singaporeans proved we are confident, talented and warm people, capable of hosting the world with dignity and grace. We would possess top-of-mind recall when multinational companies make investment decisions or when Singaporeans and local companies are pursuing opportunities abroad.  The YOG catalysed the performances of our top youth athletes who proved they could compete with the world’s best. Their determination, self belief and grit captured the imagination of Singaporeans and rekindled spectator interest in sports, as evidenced by the overwhelming demand for seats at the competition venues. As a legacy of the Games, Singaporeans now also enjoy a number of new and upgraded facilities of international sporting standards at these competition venues.  The initial budget was insufficient to meet the specifications of an Olympic event of this magnitude. The revised budget was approved by the Government and announced before the Games. To put things in perspective, the YOG was one third the size of the Summer Olympics, but our expenditure was less than 10 per cent of the most recent Games. The budget for the YOG did not in any way affect MCYS’ expenditure in other areas, including assistance for the needy.  Given that this was the first time we were organising an event of such scale and complexity, we encountered problems and made some mistakes. However, all errors were detected early, rectified promptly and communicated openly to all stakeholders.  MCYS is grateful to all the athletes, volunteers, officials, staff, contractors and countless Singaporeans who came forward to make the Games a success because they were proud of Singapore. That was why Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, said: “Singapore ranks right up there in terms of the best Olympic Games I have ever attended.”

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I’m glad to see all the cubs again, fully healed and rested. Now FAS has to work on building the future of football in Singapore.

The sun finally sets on the final day of existence of the Singapore Youth Olympic Village. Volunteers and staff still hard at work helping the remaining athletes catch their flights tonight and tomorrow.

We have truly been blessed to have such outstanding people working on this project. Diligent, meticulous and cheerful all the way! I have learnt that Singaporeans (and friends of Singapore) are truly capable of great things. I am more confident and optimistic about our future than I have ever been. Thank you all for the experience of a lifetime.!

Thank you to all the fans who continued to believe and supported them through thick and thin.

Isabelle has had a wonderful run in the YOG table tennis competition. Faced China in the final. Went down 4–0 but fought bravely, never giving up even on the last point. Great spirit!

Another great performance from our Cubs ! And full house at Jalan Besar too.

Nurul Shafinas had us all at the edge of our seats as she was narrowly defeated 8–9 in the semi finals of Taekwondo. So close!

via boston.com

More beautiful pictures

I am deeply grateful and so proud of our students and volunteers as they put on an incredible show that welcomed the world to Singapore last night. All of them made huge sacrifices of time and effort – for the sake of their team mates, their schools and Singapore. Everyone I met was truly impressed at the quality, and even more meaningful – the cheerfulness and zest for life that they demonstrated.

Worth taking a look at – not just the colour and vibrancy of the performances but the smiles of the performers and the splendour of our city.

For those of you who were there last night, please upload your photographs to the http://singapore2010.sg site or http://www.facebook.com/WelcomeTheWorld