YOG 2010: Rogge wants to trial Olympic changes at junior event

From Tom Reynolds, Sportsbeat, in Singapore

JACQUES Rogge has admitted the Youth Olympic Games could become a testing ground to make changes to its senior sibling.

CONCERNED: IOC President Jacques Rogge admitted his felt like an 'expectant father' on the eve of the first-ever Youth Olympic Games (Singapore Press Holdings)

The first-ever Youth Olympics, for athletes aged between 14 and 18, opens in Singapore later today and International Olympic Committee president Rogge has been the driving force behind the vision.

More than 3,500 athletes will compete in 26 sports, a number of which have been adapted for a youth audience.

For example only half a basketball court will be used, with each team consisting of three players and one substitute and matches held over two five minute periods.

"It is a little bit premature to say what because we still have to see how this will evolve but I am sure that this concept of adapting some sport events, I am not going to be specific, but there are new sport events and new format of sports events that is something that could be adapted to traditional Games," said Rogge.

"But we first want to experience them here in these Games and if this is a success we might translate that into the traditional Games."

It was originally anticipated the event would cost no more than £19 million ($30m) to stage but by the time Singapore won their bid that cost had risen to £48m ($76m).

Last month the Singapore government claimed the final bill would be £184m ($287m) - nearly ten times the original estimate.

Rogge has defended the rising costs and also predicted fears over sluggish ticket sales will prove unfounded.

"I am sure that after the opening ceremony tonight and after the victory of Singapore in football yesterday against Zimbabwe that this will ignite the interest of the Singaporeans, there is no doubt about that," he added.

"We are very pleased by the worldwide coverage in broadcasting activity.  The IOC has signed 166 countries where there is a broadcaster that will air part or all of the activities so this is a huge result for the first edition.

"We also will have 24-7 online presence.  Not less than 25 countries will air live the opening and closing ceremonies at full length so we believe that already we have a good presence and a good audience and this is something that will improve after the opening ceremony.

"There are many issues that will emerge out of this Youth Olympic Games that we will take over for the traditional Games."

 Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games.  Visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012