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That is the view of Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of the 2012 London Olympics organising committee.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a ceremony recognising Singapore's most promising young athletes at the Pan Pacific Hotel yesterday.
He said: 'How you engage the population is an important part of the legacy of the Youth Olympics.
'It's not just about bricks and mortar and physical structures, but how you encourage youngsters to take up sport.'
He can rest easy, as Singapore already has plans for it.
Part of Singapore's strategy in the lead-up to the Youth Games is to roll out a comprehensive Olympic education programme in schools in September.
Students will learn about Olympic values like respect, friendship and fair play.
Lord Coe headed London's bid to host the 2012 Summer Games, which it won in the 2005 International Olympic Committee (IOC) session held here.
The 1980 and 1984 Olympic gold medallist in the 1,500 metres and former MP was one of the key factors behind London's surprise win over favourites Paris.
Initially, the English capital had a poor evaluation by the IOC, which criticised its 'obsolete' transport system.
But, within months of his appointment, Coe made giant strides to impress the selectors by emphasising the city's belief in the Games ideal and what hosting it would mean to the young.
He said: 'I'm really pleased with the concept of this Youth Olympics. It engages young people in sport and the values of the Olympic movement at an age when it's very important.'
As it would be 'four or five years before these youngsters get to go to a full Olympics', such an event is a good opportunity to expose them to top-class competition.
Singapore won the bid to host the Youth Olympics last week. About one-third the scale of a full Olympics, it will see about 3,200 athletes aged between 14 and 18 competing in 26 sports.
Recent Olympics have been beset by problems, such as host cities exceeding their budgets and facilities becoming white elephants after the quadrennial event.
Lord Coe, however, was confident Singapore would be able to meet any challenges that cropped up in the 21/2 years leading up to the Youth Olympics.
He said: 'Organising any Olympics, whether it is the Summer or Winter Games, is a challenge.
'But I have very little doubt, from my experience of your country, that it will be met.'
Yesterday, six Singapore Sports School students received the 2007/2008 Lord Sebastian Coe/British Chamber of Commerce 'Dream 2012 Award'.
It aims to help outstanding Singaporean athletes, who have shown potential, to make it to the 2012 London Olympics.
The six are triple jumper Stefan Tseng, runner Shahrir Anuar, swimmer Tao Li, sailor Sherman Cheng, and paddlers Isabelle Li and Pang Xuejie.
They received plaques and a bursary of $3,500 each.Said Tao Li, who received her third straight award since 2005: 'This is a great boost. It will help pay for some of my expenses in overseas competitions.'
