Singapore, Bangkok among five vying for Youth Olympics
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
Moscow rates high for having staged the 1980 Summer Olympics in 1980. Athens staged the 1896 and 2004 Olympics and Turin the 2006 Winter Olympics. A team from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will visit the cities from December 1-8 and choose the host city in February next year.
In Singapore, the government is well behind the bid though one setback is the Games Village, which is not up yet. It is being built at a site adjacent to the National University of Singapore and would be ready within the next two years – well within the requirements for the YOG.
“But I need to convince the IOC that when we say we can do it, we will do it,” said Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.
In Bangkok, Governor Apirak Kosayodhin told the Bangkok Post that hopes of hosting the Game could be hindered by the political situation. He was quoted saying that the IOC would consider the candidates’ political situations, budget and transport facilities when voting. While Bangkok received high marks for accommodation and athletes’ village, the governor said the ICO feels the Bt1 billion (US$32 million) it planned to spend organising the Games would be too small.
Comments are closed.