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Singapore Youth Olympic Games Comes To A Close In Spectacular Fashion

SINGAPORE, Aug 26 -- The inaugural edition of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) officially came to a close on Thursday night with 'a big party' with Singapore saying "we have delivered the games to the world".

The official closing ceremony of the YOG took place with dance and singing performances, and fireworks display at the floating stage in Marina Bay, the same venue where the opening was held on Aug 14.

Some 3,600 athletes aged 14 to 18 took part in the games, accompanied by 1,850 officials while some 20,000 volunteers helped carry out the organizational aspects of the games successfully.

Medals were won by nearly half of the nations and territories - 93 of the 205 territories - taking part in the games.

Unofficial medal tally showed China won the most medals with 30 gold, followed by Russia 19 gold and South Korea 11.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is not registering records or a medal tally for the inaugural YOG, preferring instead to stress that the focus should be on 'achievement and excellence rather than performance'.

Earlier in the day, IOC President Jacques Rogge said the Singapore 2010 YOG had exceeded vastly his highest expectations, adding he knew it would be well organised.

Speaking at the closing, Singapore's YOG Organising Committee Chairman Ng Ser Miang said the city-state had successfully organised and delivered the games, and had done a good job as the host.

Singapore had spent S$387 million (RM967 million) to host the games.

Rogge later declared the games closed and handed over the Olympic flag to Ji Jianye, the Mayor of Nanjing, and the next city to host the summer YOG in 2014, before the Olympic flame at the floating stage was distinguished.

IOC said global interest in the Youth Olympic Games had been strong, with over 160 rights-holding broadcasters, providing coverage and over 1,900 accredited international media in attendance.

Rogge also said the first winter edition of the YOG would take place in Innsbruck, Austria, in 2012.

-- BERNAMA

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