Sports

‘Perfect’ Youth Games draw to a close

IOC President Jacques Rogge hailed the Youth Olympics in Singapore as exceeding all expectations.

Agencies August 27, 2010 Less than a minute read

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge hailed the Youth Olympics in Singapore as exceeding all expectations the day the inaugural Games drew to a close.

He deemed it a massive success, despite empty seats at many venues. “The Games have vastly exceeded my highest expectations,” said Rogge. “I always knew it would be well organised, but I didn’t expect this level of perfection. I now have 22 Olympic Games under my belt but [Singapore] ranks at the very top.”

The Games, which began on August 14 and ended yesterday with a closing ceremony, featured all 26 Olympic sports with some adapted to appeal more to a younger audience.

The next summer Youth Olympics will be held in Nanjing in 2014 and Rogge said he would make clear to the Chinese organisers that bigger is not always better, with the IOC keen to keep the event manageable.

Last gold goes to Cuba

Cuba lived up to their name as a world volleyball powerhouse when they defeated Argentina 3-1 to win the Youth Olympic Games volleyball gold, which was also the last gold at stake in the event.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2010.