IOC hopes US teams will re-consider YOG pull-out
Posted: 16 October 2009 0015 hrs

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SINGAPORE: The International Olympics Committee is still hoping that the United States will re-consider its decision to pull out some of its athletes for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore in 2010.

Organisers were hit with news last week that the swimming, cycling and shooting teams from the US were not competing.

The IOC now wants the US to review its decision.

"Because having American athletes in the sport is very important, and the United States is one of the best nurseries for young athletes, not only at the school level, but the university and collegiate system in the United States is outstanding," said Kevan Gosper, chairman, Press Commission, International Olympic Committee.

The US said the Youth Olympic Games seemed more like a world-youth peace programme than a high-level competition, but the IOC insisted there is a good balance.

"If anything at all, the focus of the IOC and teams are still very much on competition and I think for us it is managing it so that they will make sure that the athletes have time to take part in culture and education programmes, so at the end of the day, it will end up to be a very good balance," said Ng Ser Miang, VP, International Olympic Committee.

The US swim team said it has a four-year outlook for its youth national team, and the Youth Olympic Games was not part of that plan.

- CNA/sc