1st Youth Olympic Games
Singapore (SIN), August 14 – 26, 2010

Bishan Opening Press Conference

SINGAPORE (SIN), FIG Office, August 15, 2010: Today, the governing bodies of two of the top Olympic sports, athletics and gymnastics, invited representatives of the media to a joint opening press conference at Bishan Sports Hall. Both housed within the Bishan sports facilities for the duration of these 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) took advantage of this opportunity to familiarise the media with the venues and update them on the upcoming competitions.

Journalists had a chance to meet with the two Athletes’ Role Models and one YOG participant from each sport, who stood by for question and answer as well as photo sessions.

IAAF Athletes’ Role Model Wilson Kipketer (DEN), who currently holds the World Record in the 800m, emphasised the many things athletics and gymnastics have in common. Wilson says that with the number of educational opportunities provided at the YOG, his junior fellow athletes would be wise to get involved, learn through their sport and enjoy life.

1997 World Horizontal Bar Champion Jani Tanskanen (FIN) is not only a great former gymnast, the FIG Athletes’ Role Model is also the Technical Director of Men’s Artistic Gymnastics at Svoli, the Finnish Gymnastics Federation, and in January this year he was elected President of the FIG Athletes’ Commission. Jani stressed that being a champion does not only mean to win, it also means handling defeat while respecting the Olympic values of Excellence, Respect and Friendship.

Swedish pole vaulter Angelica Bengtsson, 2010 World Junior Champion and 2009 World Youth Champion, is keen on winning the Youth Olympic Games title as well. The cheerful young athlete has enjoyed her YOG experience so far and has no problem speaking to the media. “It’s like talking to normal people,” the 17 year old says smilingly. To improve in her discipline, Angelica actually does some gymnastics training as well and she looked great on the uneven bars, supported by Jani.

Singaporean Artistic gymnast Timothy Tay, also 17, had the honour of carrying the Olympic flag at last night’s Opening Ceremony. He is very excited about the upcoming competitions and feels honoured to represent the host country in his discipline at the very first Youth Olympic Games. “It will probably be the biggest competition of my life,” Timothy said, anticipating that the greatest challenge will be to manage his own nervous tension.

Timothy starts competition tomorrow at Bishan Sports Hall, while Angelica takes to the mat on Tuesday. We wish good luck to both of them!