Youth Olympic Games 2010 opened with spectacular ceremony in Singapore yesterday 15.08.2010
The YOG opening ceremony was attended by the members of the RT delegation with Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov at the head
The Tatarstan volunteers also participated in the event. The official ceremony took place on the floating platform located in the prestigious city area of Singapore, Marina Bay. About 25,000 spectators witnessed the opening show.
To welcome the YOG guests and athletes the event started with songs and dances of different nations that inhabit Singapore. President of Singapore S.R. Nathan declared the first Youth Olympic Games open.
President of the International Olympics Committee Jacques Rogge called the opening ceremony a “historical moment”. “Tonight, we open a new chapter in the history of the Olympic Movement,” the IOC Chief said. “From this moment on, young people around the world have a chance to participate in a global forum that combines sport, education and culture.”
The Youth Olympic Flame was carried to the platform on a large dragon boat and national sailor Darren Choy, 16, put torch to cauldron to signify the opening of the YOG.
We remind that three Tatarstan athletes traveled to the first Youth Olympic Games in Singapore as members of the Russian national team.
On Sunday morning the Tatarstan volunteers were at their workplaces.
We remind that 16 volunteers from Tatarstan work at the YOG sports venues in Singapore. The young people are distributed according to the zones; part of them are assigned to work in the international press centre and part of them – in the Youth Olympic Village.
The Tatarstan volunteers are involved in the work of the call centre. The Singapore YOG organisers introduced an over-the-phone interpretation support. Thus whatever language the athletes speak they can be sure that the other YOG participants will understand them. The Universiade 2013 is likely to use the same multilingual switchboard, which will provide interpretation services over a phone helpline.
The volunteers will stay in Singapore till the end of the Games on August 26.
Dina Gazaliyeva
