A SIX-STOP international torch journey will precede Singapore's hosting of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in August next year.

Million Deeds Challenge Before the Olympic Flame begins its journey, youths all over the world are invited to take part in the Million Deeds Challenge online at www.milliondeeds.sg. The Challenge invites anyone to post their deeds, which should celebrate the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect. ... more

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB), at its meeting in Denver on Thursday night, approved a proposal by the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) for the YOG flame to be lit in Greece and travel to one city each in Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania before arriving in Singapore.

Although youths will feature prominently in the torch's journey to Singapore, adults, including former and active athletes, will also take part in the festivities.

At each city, the YOG flame will be welcomed in a celebration which will not only involve the host city, but also National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from the same continent.

The flame's journey will culminate in a relay in Singapore, where youths from all over Asean will be invited to take part, before the Games' cauldron is lit at the Marina Bay Floating Platform. The Singapore leg is the only stop in the six-city journey to have a relay.

Said SYOGOC chairman Mr Ng Ser Miang: 'As an important symbol of the Olympic movement, the Olympic Flame will touch the hearts of millions of youths and inspire them to make a positive impact in their communities as it journeys through the five continents. Singapore is grateful to the IOC EB for approving our request to create this unique opportunity and experience for people around the world to connect to the first Youth Olympic Games.'

The August 14 to 26 Games will feature some 3,600 athletes and 800 officials from 205 NOCs, along with estimated 800 media representatives, 20,000 local and international volunteers, and more than 500,000 spectators.

Young athletes - aged between 14 and 18 years - will compete in 26 sports and also take part in cultural and educational activities, which will be a significant part of the Games.

Singapore schools have already been twinned with schools all over the world in a bid to increase understanding and awareness of different cultures. They will also play host to the athletes during the Games.

Athletes will also benefit from interacting with former athletes who will share their insight and experiences. Said former 200m track and field champion Frank Fredericks, who is the chairman of the IOC's Athletes' Commission: 'We have to play a major role and are most willing to spend these 12 days in Singapore to talk with the young athletes about our ideas, dreams and how we dealt with crucial issues such as doping.'