This article is presented without bias or favour and can be used, at no charge, for editorial purposes. By Jonathan Wong In one simple gesture, the honour and responsibility of hosting the next Youth Olympic Games (YOG) was entrusted to China. At last night’s closing ceremony of the inaugural YOG, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge handed the symbolic Olympic Flag to Mr Ji Jianye, mayor of Nanjing, the 2014 host city. Also known as the flag of Singapore, in recognition of the Republic’s role as the first host, the words “Singapore 2010” are embroidered on the bottom right corner of the flag. It was then passed to Chinese athlete Gao Tingjie, the Games’ 10m air rifle champion, who bore it proudly as a deafening applause erupted from the stands. To complete what would be a memorable day for the 17-year-old, his country’s national anthem filled the Marina Bay floating platform as he and Mr Ji watched their national flag being raised. Representing Singapore during the handover protocol were Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Transport) Teo Ser Luck and YOG table tennis silver medallist Isabelle Li. Following the exchange, a 90-second video clip showcasing Nanjing, a city located along the Yangtze River, was screened. The Aug 16-28 Games in Nanjing, with a population of more than 7.5 million, will see new additions made to the eastern Chinese city. Its international airport is currently undergoing expansion and by 2014, an additional runway and terminal will allow it to more than double its passenger capacity. A second high-speed railway network linking Nanjing to Shanghai will also be in operation by then. Between 70 and 80 members of the Nanjing organising committee have been in Singapore to take notes. And they already have big plans. The Cultural and Education Programme will be expanded for the next Games, Mr Ding Ming, director of the culture and education department for the Nanjing Games, said in a briefing on Wednesday. They will also aim to recruit more than double the 20,000 volunteers that were used in Singapore. This article is presented without bias or favour and can be used, at no charge, for editorial purposes.
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