Speech by Prof S Jayakumar at the One Year Countdown Event

Speech by Prof S Jayakumar, Senior Minister and Co-ordinating Minister for National Security at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games One Year Countdown Event

14 August 2009

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
Minister for Community Development, Youth & Sports

Mr Teo Ser Luck
Mayor, North East District and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth & Sports, and Transport

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon
Minister of State for Community Development, Youth & Sports

Mr Ng Ser Miang
Chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee

Mr Christophe Berthaud
General Manager of Swiss Timing Athletes, Corporate partners, National Sports Associations,

students,

ladies and gentlemen,

You may ask: why is it that for a Youth Olympic Games, the organisers have asked me - one of the senior most Cabinet Ministers - to grace this event. Why not get a younger Minister, instead? The reason is that the holding of the Games in Singapore is something that all of us whatever our age, can celebrate and be proud of. It will be an event that all Singaporeans, young and old, should enjoy.

That is why I am delighted to join you this evening to unveil the countdown clock and to mark the one year countdown to the inaugural Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG). This is indeed a significant event in Singapore’s journey to host the YOG and standing at the steps of City Hall makes it all the more special.

City Hall has witnessed some key historical moments of Singapore. This is also where, in February last year, our Singapore 2010 dream became a reality when Singapore was announced the first host city for the inaugural YOG. The clock represents a new youth international mega-event, and having here with the backdrop of our iconic national monument of City Hall signifies the integration of the old and new Singapore, as well as the continuity of the past, present and future.

This August we celebrate Singapore’s 44th year of independence. In 365 days’ time, in August 2010, it will be even more significant. We will herald the 45th year in nation-building and once-in-a-lifetime global event, the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games. This event celebrates youth, sporting excellence, international friendship and respect for humanity.

Looking at the crowd today, feeling your spirit and passion, I am confident that Singapore will deliver a memorable YOG for the youth of the world. So Singapore, let us work together and get ready to welcome the world to the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.