No no...I'm not participating as an athlete at Singapore 2010 (I'm unfortunately over-aged...
). I was one of the 2,400 torchbearers instead! On the 12th of Aug 2010... ...
Here I was at Lamp post 77 waiting for the Youth Olympic Games Journey of Youth Flame! |
Getting tagged "5356" just before the Flame arrives! |
What's that commotion?! |
It's the Coca-Cola bus blaring loud music and cheers from the supporters of the torch relay! Coca-Cola is one of the presenting partners for the torch relay. |
Not to be outdone is the Samsung bus with their cheerleaders! Samsung is another presenting partner. |
I can see torch-bearer 5355 coming my way! |
Torch-bearer 5355 and me giving a quick pose for the cameras before he hands over to me the Flame! |
Carefully handing over the Flame to me... |
Here we go! 5 support runners kept a lookout for me... |
Ah...I can see Torch-bearer 5357 ahead... |
Another quick pose (the flame above my head was really hot!) before I say farewell to the Flame as it continued on its journey around Singapore! |
A once in a lifetime experience! |
Over 3,600 youth athletes are competing in 26 sports at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. I'm glad I had the opportunity to create my own YOG memories! It's an honor to be part of the journey travelled by this special Flame that was lit in Ancient Olympia and had travelled across all 5 continents before touching Singapore soil.
The YOG has hit its halfway mark as of today and I look forward to catching more matches of these inspiring young athletes. On a side note, I look forward also to the day the YOG includes its Youth Paralympic Games counterpart! Young athletes in disability sports should be given the chance to compete at such prestigious and challenging levels too.