Blog Prompt

Question: Singapore and Moscow are the two countries that got into the final round of the bid for the Youth Olympics 2010. You are the leader of the Singapore team, about to make a presentation to the committee considering your bid. Prepare a presentation.

Answer:

Good Morning,
Today, I am here to make a presentation to you so as to allow Singapore to host the Youth Olympics. I feel that Singapore certainly has the ability to hold this prominent event. According to my information, the Youth Olympic Games are planned to be an international multi-sport event held every four years in staggered summer and winter events complementing the current Olympic Games, and will feature athletes between the ages of 14 and 18. The idea for such an event was envisioned in 2001 by International Olympic Committee(IOC) president Jacques Rogge. On July 6, 2007, IOC members at the 119th IOC session in Guatemala City approved the creation of a youth version of the Olympic Games.
The summer version will last at most twelve days, with the first edition taking place in mid-summer of 2010; the winter version will last a maximum of nine days, with the first edition taking place in early 2012. The IOC will allow a maximum of 3,500 athletes and 875 officials to participate at the summer games, while 970 athletes and 580 officials are expected at the winter games.

Requirements

It has been stressed that the host city should not have to build any major venues, with the exception of some temporary structures or possibly an Olympic village. Also, all competitions must be held in the host city, ruling out any joint bids. According to bid procedures, the track and field stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies must hold 10,000 people, and a city must have a 2,500-seat aquatics facility (for Summer editions).
Education and culture are also key components for this Youth edition. Not only does the education/culture aspect apply to athletes and participants, but also youth around the world and inhabitants of the host city and surrounding regions. Multi-lingual, multi-cultural, and multi-age requirements are the targets of the program which stress the themes of "Learning to know, learning to be, learning to do, and learning to leave together."
Each participating country would send at least four athletes. 170 countries are expected to participate in the 2010 Youth Summer Olympics. (There are over 200 National Olympic Committees, most of which participate at the "senior" Games). Participants will be grouped by age, for example, 14-15 years, and 16-18 years. One source indicates athletes will be chosen at least 18 months in advance, which suggests that some could be chosen as young as age 12. Other reports indicates the qualifications (which guidelines are being set in autumn of 2008) will occur between December 2009 and May 2010.At least one IOC member criticized the plan, noting that smaller teams from all countries may fail to capture the interest of the media, nations, and the athletes themselves.

Costs

Estimated costs are currently $30 million for the summer and $15 million-$20 million for winter games, primarily on infrastructure and lodging. The IOC will pay travel costs to the host city and room and board for the athletes and judges, estimated costs at $11 million. The funding will come from IOC funds and not revenues.

Thus, I think that Singapore should be the host of Youth Olympics 2010 as Singapore fulfills all the requirements. Singapore is also an excellent location as it lies between the Western countries and Asia. Thank you for your attention.

Source:
Wikipedia