By Leonard Lim

THE 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore will record several firsts, apart from being the inaugural edition.

Several sports will feature mixed teams, comprising either players from both sexes or from different countries from the same continent.

This innovative feature was announced on Wednesday, the first day of the International Olympic Committee's Executive Board meeting in Lausanne.

Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee chairman Ng Ser Miang, who is also an IOC Executive Board member, said the move fitted the YOG's concept and vision.

He told The Straits Times from Lausanne yesterday: 'The Games are about bringing the best athletes together and allowing for universality.

'Having mixed teams from different countries will highlight the Olympic values like friendship and respect.'

To ensure broad participation, the 205 national Olympic committees (NOCs) around the world will be guaranteed spots for at least four athletes.

There will be mixed-gender and mixed-teams events in sports like archery, athletics, cycling and tennis. Swimming and modern pentathlon will have mixed relays.

Team sports like football, hockey and volleyball will have one side per continent, with hosts Singapore or another country the sixth.

About 3,600 youths aged between 14 and 18 are expected to be in Singapore during the Aug 14-26, 2010 Games.

They will compete in 26 sports, the same programme as the 2012 London Summer Games.

But unlike the five-a-side format at the senior Olympics, the YOG will feature half-court three-on-three basketball.

Ng said: 'Overall, it's a wonderful experience, especially for NOCs who have strong individual players but not enough to form a team.

'It'll be a great opportunity for their athletes to become part of the Olympic family.'

Qualification for the YOG will be decided based on official junior ranking lists, and performances at events like the Junior World Championships.

Competition venues will be around the island, and include the Singapore Sports School (swimming), Kallang Tennis Centre and Bishan Stadium (football, athletics).

The opening and closing ceremonies will be at the Marina Bay floating platform.

Youth Olympics

• Aug 14-26, 2010

   

• 26 sports comprising 201 events.

  Mixed-gender or mixed-country teams: Archery, athletics (medley relay), cycling, equestrian, fencing, judo, modern pentathlon (relay), swimming (relay), table tennis, tennis and triathlon (relay).

  Note: Football, handball, hockey and volleyball will consist of one team per continent plus a sixth.

  The sixth team will either be a team from Singapore or one proposed by the respective sports' international federations and approved by the IOC.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on December 12, 2008.