Report from Singapore 3

Hey folks!

Yesterday, the first ever Youth Olympic Games were declared open by what was probably the best event I have ever experienced. Although I my undergraduate degree included several lectures on event management, it's only in my wildest dreams that I would have thought of an event like this.

The Opening Ceremony took place on a floating stage in Marina Bay, right in the heart of Singapore. Already at the gathering point, the atmosphere was fabulous. All the different countries were singing their local tunes (of course, we were chanting "Immer wieder, immer wieder, immer wieder Österreich"), exchanged pins and took photos with each other.

After all the 204 delegations had arrived, it was time to march towards the stadium. We all caught a very good glimpse at the Singapore skyline, before it was showtime. We entered the stadium where 27,000 people enthusiastically welcomed us to Singapore. I was definitely not the only one to have goose bumps!

And then we took our seats and experienced one of the best Opening Ceremonies in the history of the Olympic Games. There was music, dancers, exotic costumes, acrobats, pyrotechnic, laser, visual effects...to cut a long story short: EVERYTHING! Sometimes it was really hard to focus, because there was so much going on: On stage, in the ranks, on the water, everywhere. Speaking of the stage: Besides the "normal" stage, they also had a stage on the water and a 30 meter high backdrop.

At about 10PM, the climax was approaching. First, Ng Ser Miang, chairman of SYOGOC, welcomed everybody to the beautiful city of Singapore and wished them a great experience. Then, IOC president Jacques Rogge highlighted his vision of the Games: To not only make winners, but champions, who abide to the Olympic Values of friendship, excellence and respect.
And then the moment everybody has been waiting for arrived: S.R. Nathan, president of the Republic of Singapore, declared 1. Youth Olympic Games open.

Unfortunately, I can't give you any pictures of the ceremony, however, I kindly invite you to watch this gallery on Flickr. I believe it gives you a very good impression of what a great experience we had!!

Let the Games begin!