End of One Dream, Beginning of Many

Photo: SPH-SYOGOC-Xinhua

The 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore came to an end last night. As the Olympic flame extinguished, it marked the end of an eventful journey. The memories of the YOG will forever be etched in our hearts.

Inspiring was one word I remembered Yakki mentioning during the first Cubs game he attended.

The Games is pretty inspiring huh.

The Flame as Last Spotted in Marina Bay

Photo: ChannelNewsAsia

I totally agree.

Pre-YOG, we squirmed when we heard that we could be fined $130 for not giving way to the YOG buses. But we knew that us fine Singaporeans do need monetary incentives many a times.

During YOG, we saw the SFI food being served to the volunteers and felt that for a $5.5 million food tender, SFI could have done a better job and not short-change the volunteers or us taxpayers.

And yes, people will whine about the $387 million spent on the Games. With one or two itching to be arrested by criticising the Government on an anti-YOG facebook page.

But let's be objective and break it down for all.

The last 12 days have brought 3,600 youths from all over the world and 20,000 volunteers in Singapore together. For many of them, what an experience it is to participate in the first ever Youth Olympics and interact with youths from 204 countries.

It did take Singaporeans a bit of warming up to react to the YOG atmosphere. We were off to a slow start with the publicity of the YOG fairly poor leading up to the opening day. Tickets are moving slowly. But once the flame was lit and kiasuism activated, Singaporeans were quickly snapping up tickets to the popular sports. The YOG spirit in Singapore suddenly came alive.

The YOG also gave us football fans something to cheer about with the success of our national team, albeit a very very young one. It's not the bronze medal success that we're speaking about, but the quality of football they displayed. Attacking, positive, spirited, entertaining and most importantly, fun football.

Cubs packing the Stadium like no other S-League match can

There will be the cynics and the critics and the skeptics and the whatevers. But we enjoyed the Youth Olympics. And if these people can deliver a better experience at a lower cost to us all, then please go ahead and indulge us.

Until then, we will remember the good old times long after the flame has gone.

The butterflies in the stomach, the joy of bonding and the pleasure of scoring we will forever reminisce.