Singapore Summer Youth Olympics 2010 - A Herculean Task For A Tiny Nation

It was a close call between the final Youth Olympic Games host contenders Singapore and Moscow. As suggested by the votes of 53 to 44. The island-nation erupted into a collective delirium although there were skeptics amongst the citizens. There are many factors that worked in Singapore's favour which will be further discussed.

To begin with, Singapore did not see itself in contention as recently as July 2007. The Prime Minister believed it was not ready to host the Games. Firstly, the National Stadium was only demolished last year to make way for a new complex. The Singapore Sports Hub, where the Stadium is located is expected to be completed only in 2011.

The city-state may not have any prior record in hosting events the magnitude of the Olympics. However, it has hosted a regional biennial sporting meet thrice. Hence, Singapore is very much experienced in the planning and organising the logistics involved. The biennial event is the Southeast Asian Peninsula [SEAP] Games in 1973; and its successor, the Southeast Asian [SEA] Games in 1983 and 1993.

But in true Singaporean fashion, everyone from the various government agencies, the various corporations and the man in the street rallied together. Ensuring the Youth Olympics Games come to these shores.

What worked towards Singapore's favour? Chiefly amongst which is the emphasis on youth and efficiency. The Bid included integrated sports, youth and cultural educational programmes. Even the official website has "youth" and "vibrancy" stamped all over. As reflected by the music and that cute animated Olympic flame-carrying mascot.

Other factors that come into play:

* Singapore's reputation for delivering results on time and beyond expectations

* Singapore's compactness means travelling between sporting venues takes up at most 30 minutes

* Advanced physical infrastructures, namely transport and technological

* Singapore's multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious background

* The much-vouched safe and secure environment due to harsh legal penalties that are in place

* English is widely spoken and understood as it is Singapore's business and official language

As such, Games participants, their families/chaperones, the international media and dignitaries may just encounter minimal problems during their stay. In the cosmopolitan city which is recently ranked second, after the United States in terms of Most Competitive Economy. With that said, the tagline "Blazing the Trail" is not only apt for Singapore. But for future Youth Olympic host cities too.




Ange Teo is the Founder of e2m expat etiquette mentoring, a Singapore-based Cross-Cultural Communications Solutions Provider.

She has worked with some of the world's leading multinational companies and Singapore-based small medium enterprises for over 20 years. Thus, Ange Teo has a good understanding on the intricacies of Intercultural work relations. Besides her intense belief in the importance of Cross-Cultural Competency - a critical aspect of an organization's global competitive advantage.