SINGAPORE: Singapore is cranking up the publicity for its bid to host the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010.

With less than ten days left before the official bid document is submitted on 26 October, a website and logo were unveiled on Tuesday to rally the whole nation to support the bid.

One of the ways to reach out to Singaporeans at home and abroad is through a video, which showcases Singapore's vibrancy and diversity, on popular website YouTube.

A link to the video is also available on the Singapore Youth Olympic Games 2010 website at http://www.singapore2010.sg.

Besides giving news and information on the bid, the website also allows Singaporeans to pen their support.

Singapore's national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim, is used for the official logo, which is accompanied with the tagline 'Blazing the Trail' to show the nation's entrepreneurial and can-do spirit.

Singapore feels it may have an advantage over the nine other cities that are bidding for the Games.

Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports Parliamentary Secretary, Teo Ser Luck, said: "It is a challenge to actually put together an international event in such a short time, but it is also a challenge for all the other cities.

"Singapore has a proven track record to turn around many international events – IOC Session, the IMF – so I believe it is a challenge, but it is also our advantage."

That is why it is critical to get the whole country excited about it. Publicity materials like car decals and stickers will be distributed island-wide as part of the "I Support Singapore 2010" campaign.

Chris Chan, Secretary-General of Singapore National Olympic Council, said: "We have been discussing with the NSAs (national sports associations) and I must tell you that they have been very actively supporting us and ultimately, when you get the full information about the venues, you will be very surprised at how these venues were chosen."

Singapore said it has the right software and enough facilities to put up a good show.

Ng Ser Miang, Executive Board Member of the International Olympic Committee, said: "The prime minister has given a very strong endorsement for Singapore to bid. And I think the different government agencies and the whole sports fraternity are also behind the bid, so there is a lot of input that makes this a very strong bid."

After the submission, the International Olympic Committee will shortlist candidates by 19 November.

This will be followed by a visit to the short-listed cities in December before the final decision is made in February next year.

The Youth Olympic Games will see some 3,500 athletes, from ages 14 to 18, competing in 26 sports events.


- CNA/so