IOC starts Ambassador program for I. Youth Olympic Games

I. YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES 2010
14. - 26. August

On Tuesday the 23rd of March 2010, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Singapur started the „Young Ambassador“ program.
30 youngsters from all over the world , each nominated by their National Olympic Committee, should help to advertise for the first Olympic Youth Games in August in Singapur and should support the participants, before and during the games and above all during the participation in the Cultural and Educational Program (CEP).
The goal of the Cultral and Educational Program is to inspire young people to engage themselves socially and to learn the values of sports and of the Olympics.

The young ambassadors should help with this. The program also offers the athletes assistance with topics such as "sports careers" or "social responsibility".
The young ambassadors are between 18 and 28 years of age and have very diverse backgrounds. They come from all parts of the world. School kids, students and past Olympic participants are all taking part. 17 of the 30 Ambassadors are female.
At the moment the group is taking part in a preparation seminar in Singapur. Social themes which are especially important for the youth, are discussed in working groups and forums. There are five main themes:

* Olympism // * Development of skills // * Health//
* Social Responsibility // * Participation in networks.

Presentation of mascots

At the 1st Youth Olympic Games 2010 in Singapore the 30 participants will also be advisors for the 3.600 athletes in questions concerning what the participation in the Olympics means and how future stars should behave in and out of the competition arena.
IOC- President Jacques Rogge is currently taking part in a seminar for the Chefs de Mission for the games, in Singapur.
He also met the young embassadors to talk about their tasks. He is very happy about this group of very talented candidates, said Rogge and called the program a very effective means of reaching people worldwide to bring close to them the values of the Olympics.

IOC-President Jaques Rogge (BEL)

The games should bring the actives themselves fun above all, said Rogge. They are in the ages where it is important to celebrate and not only to concentrate on victories. „It has to be fun“, he said.

„It should not be too serious and shouldn't be stressful, that will come soon enough. For me the hapinness of the athletes is the mirror of the success of the games: if the athletes are happy, the games are a success.“

Rogge hopes that Singapore will be a direction giving signal to the youth of the world“, so Rogge. „Such an event can work like a magnet for young people, who otherwise could distance themselves from sports on the verge of becoming grown ups.“
* Source: I O C / DOSB
* ... more information at >> www.olympic.org/yog

** In Germany at the moment - for instance in May the

>> III. Pre-Olympic Youth Cup 2010 is taking place in Bergisch Gladbach, where young gymnasts from all over the world are already making themselves fit for their highlight in August...!