Singapore makes final cut for Youth Olympic Games bid

Story by Leslie Tan. Pictures by Lai Jun Wei.

Teo Ser Luck, Parliamentary Secretary of MCYS, punches the air when the results were announced. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

Sentosa, Monday, January 21 1008 – Singapore made the cut to remain in the race for the right to host the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. An initial list of nine cities was whittled down to five, with Singapore coming in a close second to Moscow. This evening, 300 Singapore Sports School athletes chorused their deafening approval when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) website revealed that Singapore had made the final two along with Moscow.

“I’m so happy!” exclaimed Mariam Shazana, a 15-year-old triple jumper from the Singapore Sports School. “Hopefully we get a chance to represent Singapore at home.”

Singapore and Moscow beat Athens, Bangkok, and Turin for places in the final two. IOC members will now vote by post in the next few weeks to select the winning host city for 2010.

Teo Ser Luck, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports was equally excited. “I have two speeches here. One’s the winning speech. The other, the losing speech.” He then tore up the losing speech to loud cheers from the crowd. “It’s a historic moment. The finishing line is in sight now. We need a last burst.”

Red Sports is collecting 2010 signatures in support of Singapore’s bid to host the Youth Olympic Games. Sign up to show your support here – Show your support for Youth Olympic Games

A huge throng of student athletes from the Singapore Sports School awaited the news of Singapore’s success at Amis, Sentosa. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

Singapore Sports School students erupt in joy when the news comes through on the Olympic bid website that Singapore has made it into the final two. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)