The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) got off to a scintillating start on Jul 23 in its host country Singapore, with representatives from 6 educational institutions coming together to form the first human torch, in a night of many firsts.

2,010 students from schools such as Assumption English School, Nanyang Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic, among others, illuminated the dazzling torch-shaped mass formation at Merchant Loop, near Clarke Quay, at precisely 2010 hrs in a symbolic gesture to celebrate the lighting of the Youth Olympic flame in Greece.

Spearheaded by principal partner Samsung, the Human Torch event was the first official prelude activity leading up to the actual YOG to be held from Aug 14 to 16. The attempt at the largest human torch was also submitted for the Singapore Book of Records.

Said Mr Moon Sung-Hyun, Managing Director, Samsung Pte Ltd., “Samsung is a firm believer that sport is a unifying force that encourages young people to challenge themselves to the limit. This spectacular formation affirms our commitment to ensure that the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore will truly be a landmark event that connects youth to their peers from around the word in the spirit of Olympism.”

987fm DJs Desiree Lai and Shan Wee hosted the night of revelry, replete with exciting performances from local hip-hop dance crew Joyce And The Boys, DJ Zushan, resident of The Butter Factory, and Singapore Idol winner Sezairi Sezali, who performed a medley of covers and tracks off his debut album Take Two.

On the opportunity to be a part of the YOG festivities, Sezairi tells UrbanWire, “It feels awesome to be part of this, and it’s cool to see such enthusiasm from youths. I am so excited for the games.”

The Youth Olympic Flame will travel from Greece to one city each in 5 continents – Berlin in Europe, Dakar in Africa, Mexico in North America, Auckland in Oceania, and Seoul in Asia – before arriving in Singapore on Aug 5 in what is dubbed the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame (JYOF).

For JYOF to happen, an exception had to be made to a 2009 ruling by the International Olympic Committee, which stipulates all torch relays to be held within the host city, as it is the first YOG. This is to ensure that the spirit of Olympism reaches out to as many youths around the world as possible to connect them to the Olympic movement.

When the torch finally blazes its way here, 2,400 individuals will have the honour of carrying the first Youth Olympic Flame through all 5 community districts in Singapore in a traditional 6-day relay beginning Aug 6.

Says Mr Goh Kee Nguan, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore YOG Organising Committee, “I hope that when the flame reaches our shores, many more people in Singapore will be excited and enthusiastic as the crowd gathered here for this human torch formation. I also hope that many more records will be broken when the sports competition starts.”

Photos taken by Tan Ding Xiang