This article is presented without bias or favour and can be used, at no charge, for editorial purposes.

By Leonard Lim

A FIRE that burned brightly in the heart of Singapore for the past fortnight was put out at 9.01pm yesterday, marking the end of a festival that set new markers for youth and sport.

It was an emotional moment at the closing of the first Youth Olympic Games (YOG), accompanied by the sombre notes of a flugelhorn. a prelude to the farewell of the Youth Olympic Flame at the Games’ closing ceremony.

But in the words of one of the most powerful men in world sport, another symbol – the Singapore spirit – will live on.

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge told the 3,600 young athletes: “Years from now, when you reflect on your sports career, you will be able to say ‘I was in Singapore, where it all began’. You will keep this Singapore spirit alive in your countries as true role models.”

That spirit showed in the infectious enthusiasm of more than 20,000 volunteers, who worked behind the scenes. They were recognised last night with athletes handing eight of them bouquets.

The night belonged to the teenage athletes. Crowded around the Marina Bay floating platform’s stage, they partied after days of toil and competition.

Fourteen junior or youth world records were rewritten, and future Olympic gems look to have been unearthed in China’s six-gold swimmer Tang Yi and Russia’s triple-gold gymnast Viktoria Komova.

China retained its grip atop the medal standings, ending with 30 golds, 16 silvers and five bronzes.

For hosts Singapore, there were moments to savour and heartbreaks to experience. It bagged two silvers and four bronzes but gold medal hope Darren Choy finished empty-handed in the sailing competition. Archer Abdul Dayyan Jaffar won a bronze with his Turkish partner in a mixed event.

Like with all major Games, this one had its special moments.

Primary schoolboy Low Wei Jie’s feat of running 15km in the rain along the YOG torch route got Singaporeans talking about the Games before it even began.

A girl from South Korea and another from North Korea explored the Games Village together, a reminder of sport’s ability to transcend boundaries.

Haiti’s gutsy footballers negotiated their way to a silver after losing their first game 0-9, bringing cheer to a country recovering from January’s devastating earthquake, while wide-eyed, shorts- wearing Liberian swimmers – who had only ever swum in rivers – dived into a pool for the first time.

The Games’ novel approach, merging culture and education with sports, was also lauded. United States chef de mission Leonard Abbey, who had said before arriving here that his contingent was “going in blind”, said: “It’s exceeded everyone’s expectations, from myself to the coaches, the athletes, to our support staff.”

Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan reminisced about the past 12 days in a round-up interview at the Mandarin Oriental, praising in particular local athletes and volunteers.

But he was emphatic in responding to online criticism which has centred on whether the Government’s projected $387 million tab – more than triple original estimates – has been worth it.

He said: “I have no doubt we will recoup our investment, both on the tangible side and intangible side of the ledger.”

The Games also provided a fillip to businesses, with about $260 million worth of contracts awarded to local companies, and estimated tourism receipts of $57 million.

IOC chief Rogge, credited for introducing the YOG, played down talk that he was the father of the Games, but paid tribute to the birthplace of the Olympic movement’s new pride and joy: “Let me say that there is one mother – Singapore.”

It is a legacy that will remain Singapore’s forever.

This article is presented without bias or favour and can be used, at no charge, for editorial purposes.