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Bubka supports the basics of youth Olympic games

22.04.2009 World

IAAF senior vice-president Sergey Bubka raised his voice in support to Youth Olympic Games which will debut in August 2010 in Singapore.

„The International Olympic Committee realised that the current generation of children is not having a healthy life, they are sitting behind TV screens or PC monitors. They needed a new programme and a new motivation and so we invented Olympic Games for the young generation. There was an overall feeling that something must be done for the children and youngsters,“ said Bubka who is also chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for the inaugural Games. He was speaking in this way also beacuse at recent European Athletics Congress in Lausanne Swedish federation supported by Denmark, Netherlands and Iceland were against the participation at Youth Olympic Games. They claimed the competitions for ages 16-17 years at European Youth Olympic Festival and in athletics also at World U17 Championships is enough. But Bubka is pointing out: „The games should be a special gathering, not only sports events. There will be many other functions during the games which will attract the attention of the participants. For example concerts or master classes with former great sports personalities. All participants will be there for the whole duration of the games. And for example at the games no records will be registered, we do not want to see accelerated young athletes who will fight for records. We expect that the coaches will take their responsibilities and will use the natural abilities appropriate to the age of the young athletes.“ Another part is the qualification to the games. In Athletics every continent will held a qualification meet which will see athletes qualify for the Singapore event. „That should give an additional motivation and another occassion where the young athletes will meet together. And we will have some interesting events too, like mixed relays. It won´t be only events, times, rankings. We want that the young boys and girls will enjoy this games as something special way beyond the classical sporting event,“ said Bubka. Some 3594 athletes from all 205 National Olympic Committees will compete in Singapore in 26 sports comprising 201 events. Besides the sports competitions programme, the YOG will feature an extensive Cultural and Educational Programme (CEP), which aims to introduce, in a fun and festive spirit, the young athletes to Olympism and the Olympic values, and to raise awareness of important issues such as the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, the fight against doping and their role as sports ambassadors in their communities.


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