huaiwei

Apologies. The "same article" should refer to a Straits Times article published today which goes like this: Singapore will press on with bid It is not backing down despite Moscow's call for Republic to host next edition in 2014 By Leonard Lim SINGAPORE will go ahead with its bid for the inaugural 2010 Youth Olympics. This, despite Moscow's call for Singapore to stage the second edition in 2014. Yesterday, International Olympic Committee Executive Board member Ng Ser Miang, one of the key drivers behind Singapore's bid, refused to be swayed by the growls emanating from the Russian bear, a giant in the sporting arena. He insisted: 'We want to host this event in 2010, and I believe that Singapore fits nicely into the concept of the Youth Olympics. We did our homework and ensured we were ready before putting up the bid.' The Russians fired the first salvo on Tuesday, one day after Monday's unveiling of the two cities as the final short-listed candidates. Alexander Chernov, the Moscow bid committee's external affairs director, was quoted in a media report yesterday as saying that the Russian capital 'wants the special honour of organising the first' Youth Olympics. He added that Singapore could host the second edition in 2014, noting that as a former host of the Olympics (1980), Moscow's 'experience is our No 1 strength'. He added: 'Experience is very important and with less than two years to put it together, Moscow already has a team of professionals in place to do a good job.' Singapore's bid committee, however, is refusing to back down. But it declined to be drawn into a war of words with its rivals, choosing instead to reiterate the strengths of its own bid. Parliamentary Secretary (Community Development, Youth and Sports) Teo Ser Luck noted: 'We respect Moscow's bid along the lines of the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. But we ourselves have to strive for excellence and do our best in this final lap.' The IOC's 110 members will vote by post over the coming weeks, with the winner to be announced on Feb 21. The IOC Evaluation Commission report released on Monday showed that Singapore had the edge in the areas of government support, financial backing and a well thought out cultural and educational programme on the Olympic movement and its ideals. Ng pointed out that Singapore's compact transport plan and strong public support across all age groups also put it in good stead. Moscow's trump card is its experience in hosting major multi-sport events like the 1980 Summer Olympics and 2002 International Sports Youth Games. But Singapore has successfully staged several major events in recent years. These include the 2005 IOC Session, which attracted some 5,000 past and present sports stars, officials and international dignitaries, and the International Monetary Fund-World Bank meetings a year later. The idea for the Youth Olympics was first mooted by Jacques Rogge when the Belgian doctor assumed the IOC presidency in 2001. Its aim: To enable small countries like Singapore a chance to stage a multi-sport event as they are unlikely to host the Summer Games. With only 3,200 athletes in the Youth Olympics, as opposed to the 10,000 at the Summer Games, the event is a far more manageable affair for a small city-state like Singapore to organise. To Mr Teo, small could prove beautiful for Singapore. The adviser to Singapore's bid committee explained: 'If we do a good job, it could set a new benchmark in sports and serve as an inspiration to other small cities worldwide. That if a country puts its heart and mind into something, it can make a difference.' Added Ng: 'If Singapore does win the bid, it will create opportunities for other small cities to host the Youth Olympics as well in future.'

Moscow knows that Singapore's chances are pretty high, hence there are attempting to play mindgames now. That same article says how Singapore refuses to be pulled into a war of words, and has wisely chosen not to comment on the Russian bid. However, it remains to be seen if a civilised strategy actually works.

I sometimes actually felt that public awareness in Singapore with regards to this event could have been higher than they already are, although I suspect they decided to push the idea strongly amongst the schools instead (the kids seem to know the latest developments before their parents all the time). Afterall, this is an Olympics for youths, I suppose. A rather interesting article over here btw: Moscow confident of beating Singapore in bid to host Youth Olympic Games

Glad that you are enlightened as such, although I still find it startling that you can assume that the "popularity of English language" is supposed to be some kind of decisive factor in nullifying the sovereignty of Singapore as an independent city-state and that of China of which Beijing is its capital. As far as this discussion is concerned, Singapore and Beijing are similar in that they belong in the same continent. Moscow and Sochi belong to the same country. As for ambience, I also respectfully disagree that the three said cities gives the same "ambiance" as "big international business centres". Shanghai is the predominent interntational business centre of China, far more so than Beijing, whose financial importance pales considerably, especially when compared to the far bigger Asian financial centres of Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore, with Seoul a distant fourth. Beijing is soaked deeply in historical significance, and continues to be the intellectual, ideological and cultural hub of China. And Singapore, despite ranking in the realms of Tokyo and Hong Kong in terms of financial importance, has often impressed upon people a relative air of calmness and order in the midst of the chaos of a fast-paced Asian society, almost similar to that of Swiss cities in the midst of the European economic engine. No way does it offer a similar experience as Beijing or Moscow.

You may be delighted to know that while Moscow and Sochi are in the same country, Beijing and Singapore are not.

I believe the IOC did praise Thailand for a job well done after the recent SEA Games. I am sure the Thais were intending to use the event as a showcase of what it is capable of.

Honestly speaking I am having some trouble making sense of this post, but anyway, maybe it is time to go back to the topic at hand?

I certainly do not pretend to be an angel, for I am not one. I believe I am very much human, thank you very much. Meanwhile, I fail to see the existence of any "labelling exercise" as you insinuate. A simple message advising you to hold your tongue and basically display basic manners (especially towards someone whom you obviously have never come across) cannot be dismissed as mere "labelling" just to score sympathy points for yourself. As for the MRT and littering...hmm....how did you know?!

You are most welcome. Singapore's multiculturalism has also been highlighted as a potential winning point in this race, and the general proficiency of the English language amongst its populance could be a boon as well. Hopefully this translate into something concrete later on in the realm of "education through sports".

Of course you did not, and I didn't say you did. Perhaps you might wish to tone down on your comments too before doing the 4.5 million Singaporeans back home a disfavour with your display of an ugly Singaporean.

Malay is Singapore's national language. We have no direct relationship with the Mayans.

A bastard need not be exclusively male.

Hmm...I am quite curious as to just what "singaporean language" refers to?

Sub-logo? Nah no logo is allowed, and they promptly removed it as per IOC's requests.

While the SEA Games will definitely need the new Singapore Sports Hub, it is not crucial (of even discouraged) as per the YOG's requirements. If the stadium is indeed a major issue, Singapore's scores for infrastructure would fair badly in the first evaluation, which did not happen. Ironically, it scored the worse in the Games Village instead!