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SINGAPORE : A 10-member delegation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is in Singapore from April 13 to 18.
The team is here to help local organisers put together the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2010.
With just two years to go, organisers in Singapore - as well as those from the IOC - have to work very closely.
Some 150 officials from the sports industry, ministries and private sector gathered at the YOG headquarters on Monday.
Over the next few days, participants will get tips from the experts - the officials from IOC.
IOC officials will share with participants their knowledge on administrative, commercial, logistical and operational areas.
Gilbert Felli, Olympic Games Executive Director, said, "What we need to fix very quickly is the different sites for the different sports...with an agreement with the International Sports Federation of the exact level of the venues..."
This will help sort out the number of events and qualification criteria for athletes for the 26 sports involved - all of which will be confirmed by September.
Singapore is aware of the tight deadline, but it is confident that it can deliver a good job, without bursting the budget of US$75 million.
Vivian Balakrishnan, Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister, explained, "In terms of clearing approvals, (we are) making sure our processes have no undue delays. Whatever we can do to expedite things, we will expedite. Equally important is making sure that we work concurrently. So that's why...even in today's meeting, we involved such a large group of people, because we have to keep everybody informed of the overall progress of it."
Dr Balakrishnan added that the process has to be transparent and if problems arise, they should be addressed quickly.
He has also sent out a reminder to National Sports Associations, urging them to come up to speed, because Singapore is expected to field athletes in all 26 sports.
Besides the workshop, the IOC officials also checked out the infrastructure. They visited about 80 percent of the 22 venues that will be used for the YOG.
A trip to Pulau Semakau, Pulau Ubin and the NEWater Plant is on the cards too.
That is because the Games is not only about sports, but also culture and education and raising awareness about environmental issues. For example, all YOG athletes will need to attend a compulsory cultural and educational programme.
Other issues being sorted out include the route for the torch relay and whether it will be staged in the region, besides just the host country.
What is confirmed is that there will also be no Games record for the YOG because the focus is on participation, not on setting records.
The media coverage of the Games will also be different. Unlike the main Olympics, only hour-long highlights will be offered.
But there are talks with interested parties about telecasting some of the events "live".
To make sure that all preparations are on track, IOC officials will be making such visits on a more regular basis. - CNA/ms
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