At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, visitors were impressed by the genuine warmth and sincerity of Australians.

Likewise, Singaporeans should make 'a special effort' to ensure the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) here in August 2010 are outstanding, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Sunday.

Singaporeans should use opportunities provided by such events to improve their social graces, as others have done.

In Beijing, people are gracious and welcoming, whether drivers, security officers or shopkeepers, added Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Community Development, Youth and Sports) Teo Ser Luck, who is there with Team Singapore.

'Some are clearly not used to speaking English, but they still insist on trying hard as they feel it is important to communicate with guests in town,' he said.

'Not once have I seen bad behaviour.'

Mr Lee said Singapore did well hosting major events like the International Olympic Council meeting in 2005 and the 2006 International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings: 'We put on a really good show not just to impress people, but because that's the way we want to be.'

Singapore hosts a Formula One night race next month and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting next year.

Mr Lee said Singaporeans may not have noticed the large-scale civility campaigns to educate people in Beijing. Special days of the month were designated: the 11th for 'queuing up', and 22nd was 'give your seat to others' day.

China has also mobilised 100,000 volunteers - mostly youths, with 'tremendous pride' and willing to go the extra mile needed to impress on visitors how proud they are of China, and to make visitors welcome.

'We too should mobilise ourselves for the YOG,' he said.

Singaporeans from all walks of life - schools, youth groups, companies and even cabbies - supported the YOG bid.

'This grassroots participation impressed the IOC, and so we won the bid. Let us rally together again, show what Singapore is about and welcome the world with our spirit and our warmth.'

The 12-day Games will draw 3,500 athletes and need 7,000 volunteers.

Central Singapore District Mayor Zainudin Nordin, who heads a YOG community outreach team, said organisers aim to get students, workers and community groups, among others, to chip in.

Sales consultant Ng Guang Yong, 28, said there would be no shortage of volunteers 'as the YOG is a historic first'.

But PM Lee said the effort to be more gracious should not end with the YOG.

'We've got to work consistently at this, patiently over many years, strive for higher standards and a permanent improvement in our behaviour...'

ZAKIR HUSSAIN