YOG not just "friendship games", says Teo Ser Luck
By Tan Yo-Hinn, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 23 October 2009 2214 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Learning about different cultures and promoting Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect may be a priority at next year's inaugural Youth Olympic Games.

But the event is also about serious top-level sports competition, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Teo Ser Luck.

Last month, the United States announced that its swimmers, shooters and cyclists would not be taking part in the Youth Olympic Games as it was not a high-level event.

Speaking at an event to introduce some 120 sports presenters for the games on Friday evening, Mr Teo urged the global sporting powerhouse to re-consider.

He said the national bodies for these sports might have misunderstood the direction of the YOG.

He said: "It is not a friendship games. It is a games where you still require the highest level of performance in terms of sports excellence. There are many young people in the world now training hard for the Youth Olympic Games." - CNA/vm