YOUTH OLYMPICS – Spectacular Opening Ceremony!

The first-ever Youth Olympic Games got off to a great start with a spectacular and colourful Opening Ceremony on August 14 at The Float @ Marina Bay, with the city skyline providing an impressive backdrop.

By Timothy Chan, Badzine Correspondent, live from Singapore. Photos: BadmintonPhoto & YOPS

The moment many Singaporeans and visitors had been waiting for – to see the biggest show Singapore has ever staged – became a reality Saturday night at 8:10PM. This two-hour long opening ceremony to kick off this inaugural YOG was not only lively and vibrant, featuring light and laser, but also had many fire and water effects in the show. And for the first time in Olympics opening ceremonies, athletes were invited to sit together with the spectators to enjoy the show.

Attended by a huge thunderous crowd of 27,000 spectators dancing away, the show was filled with colourful fireworks, 3-metre-high towering puppets and many colourful dance performances which radiate the youthfulness of the athletes at the Games. It also showcased how Singapore has progressed and transformed from a remote trading port to the modern and multicultural city it is today.

The most spectacular moment of the night came when the final torchbearer –who, after so many had been guessing, was revealed to be Singapore sailing competitor Darren Choy – lit the impressive the cauldron, which looks like a lighthouse in the sea of water. Now that the Youth Olympics cauldron has been lit, the Games have begun and it is time for the 3,600 young athletes to shine.

Interestingly, among the 204 flag-bearers at the “Parade of Nations” march-out, there were 3 badminton players who held the flags high for their countries: Huang Yuxiang of China, Rasheed Aishath Afnaan of Maldives and Ghislain Kervin of Seychelles. Watch out for their “next task”, which is to compete in the badminton arena at the Singapore Indoor Stadium (the regular venue for the Singapore Open Super Series) and perhaps continue to keep their nations’ flags flying with some excellent performances on the courts.

The 5-day badminton competition, which starts today, August 15, will have only two categories – boys’ singles and girls’ singles. Altogether, 64 players representing 42 countries will be competing. Badzine will bring you live coverage from the Singapore Indoor Stadium, complete with live photos from BadmintonPhoto. Stay tuned.

If you want to book a room during the event or anytime you are visiting Singapore, feel free to visit the website of our partner hotel the Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel.  A classy and great Hotel only minutes away from the Stadium and a short haul from the city Center. Click HERE