Performers rehearse for the opening ceremony of the Youth Olympic Games, which will begin today in Nanjing, China’s former capital. The event will feature more than 3,700 competitors aged 15 to 18.
Agencies/Nanjing, China
Rain threatens to disrupt the start of second Youth Olympic Games, which will begin today in Nanjing, China’s former capital, and run until August 28.
Yesterday the weather held up after two days of persistent rain as the Organising Committee put in final touches for the vibrant and colourful 90-minute ceremony lined up at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, IOC President Thomas Bach, ex-IOC president Jacques Rogge, Chinese Olympic Committee head Li Xueyong and many other dignitaries from around the world are to attend the ceremony, which will showcase the youthful spirit of the event.
Also during the opening ceremony, both IOC boss Bach and COC head Jinping would deliver their speeches and a Chinese female athlete would run the final lap of the torch relay before the cauldron is lit.
The 2014 Youth Olympic Games will bring 28 sports together in a unique multi-sport event for young athletes who are given a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in high-level sporting competitions while also engaging in a Culture and Education Programme (CEP) focused on the Olympic spirit and Olympic values.
On Thursday night, the third and final rehearsal was performed and various new elements have been added to the programme, according to opening ceremony director Chen Weiya. “Even there may be some more additions to make the events more appealing and thrilling tomorrow. Called ‘Light Up The Future,’ the ceremony is said to be a blend of the China’s rich history with the abundance of spirit and energy that the YOG stand for. Chen also insists that the ceremony would still be enjoyed by everybody be it young or old.”
“Our responsibility is to show to the youth across the world an opening ceremony that is full of youth and vitality,” Chen said, adding, “In the opening ceremony you will see young people singing, dancing and generally expressing their enthusiasm for the future.”
The majority of dancers, stuntmen and singers are youth. Chinese singers Zhang Jie and Zhang Liang Ying are the notable singers who would be performing tomorrow. South Korean singing sensation Kim Soo Hyun has also been roped in by the organisers.
Chen however did not reveal how the cauldron would be lit on Saturday. “That part is certainly the most difficult part of an opening ceremony. We received many proposals from the NYOGOC. “One included using a dragon. We shortlisted four ideas and finally picked one option. I can’t tell you how the cauldron will be lit, but I can certainly tell you that it will be lit.”
Participating nations
With Sierra Leone and Nigeria pulling out due to Ebola virus, 202 nations are expected to compete in the YOG. One athlete from South Sudan will compete under the IOC flag as the African nation doesn’t have a National Olympic Committee.
Hosts China are fielding the biggest contingent of 123 athletes. They are followed by Brazil, who have listed 97 athletes.
Events and medals
As many as 222 events in 28 disciplines will be contested. Golf and rugby sevens are newest additions to the YOG programme. Beach volleyball has come in place of indoor volleyball and field hockey has introduced new format of seven-a-side. Mixed gender is a new event in shooting and a few other sports have also come up with different formats.
The medals for Nanjing YOG have designed by a 23-year-old Slovak sports fan Matej Cicka. He clinched the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games Medal Design Competition which was held by IOC. His winning entry, ‘Track of Winners,’ was chosen among over 300 entries received from 50 countries. The IOC jury described it as “modern, fresh and dynamic” when they were brought together from around the globe to pick the winner.
The judging panel comprised world-renowned designer, Thomas Heatherwick, the man behind the iconic Olympic cauldron at the London 2012 Olympics ; Youth Olympic Games 400m hurdles gold medalist Aurelie Chaboudez, Short-track speed skating champion Yang Yang, Youth Olympic Games Ambassador Yelena Isinbaeva and Olympic fencer and IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Claudia Bokel.
Below: Qatari athletes and officials at the game village yesterday. Qatar’s 23-member team will contest in athletics, shooting, gymnastics, equestrian, table tennis, handball and swimming.