IOC president visits Singopore

The International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge is on a routine inspection visit to the Youth Olympic Games host city Singapore.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge, center, and Vice President of the IOC, Ng Ser Miang, left, pose with youth ambassadors on Tuesday March 23, 2010 in Singapore. Rogge is in the city-state to inspect the progress for the upcoming Youth Olympic Games to held in the city-state in August.(AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

Rogge launched the young ambassador programme for the youth games and thirty young people - nominated by various national Olympic associations - were chosen by the IOC to promote the Youth Olympic Games in their regions and communities. Rogge stressed the YOG should not be confused with a mini Olympic games, though the two-week long event will see athletes contesting in all twenty-six Olympic sports.

Jacques Rogge said, "It is not just an athletic event. This is not a mini Olympic games and this is not a world junior championships. It is a combination of highest level athletic performances, you'll find the best athletes in the age category. But at the same time there is a unique cultural educational programme. We want to give to these young athletes the tools that will enable them to have successful careers".