YOG 2010: Team GB pride in Youth Olympic performances

From Tom Reynolds, Sportsbeat, in Singapore

BRITISH Olympic Association officials have hailed the first-ever Youth Olympic Games as a success.

STANDARD BEARERS: Sprinter David Bolarinwa carried the flag but failed to live up to gold medal hype, winning bronze. But there were golds for show jumper Carian Scudamore and tennis player Olly Golding at the Youth Olympic Games (Singapore Press Holdings/British Olympic Association)

Chef de mission Jan Paterson had refused to make a medal prediction before leaving for Singapore - preferring to stress the importance of the event to athlete development.

Great Britain only sent 39 athletes to the Lion City, despite having a quota of 100 places available, but will still return with 13 medals, including five golds.

"We won medals in half of the sports in which we participated, demonstrating a real breadth of potential. Our athletes have shown there is a depth of talent ready to be nurtured along the journey towards future Olympic Games," said Paterson.

"The experience gained at the Youth Olympic Games will greatly benefit the development of these young athletes.  Jan Paterson, Chef de mission Team GB

"The experience gained at the Youth Olympic Games will greatly benefit the development of these young athletes. 

"I'm delighted that our athletes have fully embraced and enjoyed the wider Youth Olympic Games experience; including the mixed nations sport competitions, and the culture and education programme activities."

"I have no doubt they will now be better prepared for the demands they will face in progressing their careers through to senior international, and ultimately, Olympic level.