Youth Olympic Flame Arrives in Mexico City

28 July 2010, Mexico City, Mexico – The Youth Olympic Flame arrived in Mexico City on its mission to spread the spirit of Olympism to youths around the world. This markedthe third stop on the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame that will span five continents as a prelude to the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

Forty-two youths representing National Olympic Committees (NOCs) across the Americas welcomed the Youth Olympic Flame as it arrived at Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA). Its arrival at UIA signalled the start of a two-day City Celebration, from 27 to 28 July, which saw the Flame on parade through the Mexico City, one of the most populous capital cities in the world.

Today, the many stops for the Flame’s journey included a visit to a community centre catering to less privileged youth in Iztapalapa; Ecoguarda Centre - a place dedicated to teaching Mexicans about protecting their environment; and Hidalgo Garden in Coyoacán, a town that is popular with artists, musicians and the like.

To celebrate Mexico’s 200 years of independence and 100 years of revolution this year, the Flame madea brief stop by the Angel of Independence where it was serenaded by a 100-strong Mariachi band playing a traditional birthday song.

Finally, the Flame made its way to the Government Palace of Mexico City, where the Flamewas lit and passed to Mexico City, representing the Americas. The Flame then proceeded to Zocalo, the main square in the heart of the historic centre of Mexico City.

"Mexico was the first Latin-American host of the Olympic Games in 1968. Along with that, we saw the first female athlete, Enriqueta Basilio, to light the Olympic cauldron. Through the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame, we hope to connect and inspire the youth of the Americas to continue to embrace and live the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect," said Mr Ser Miang NG, Chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee.

To bring a slice of Singapore life, culture and tradition to Mexico, the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) has partnered Singapore’s Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts (MICA) to present a Singapore Showcase at the Mexico City’s City Celebration. It showcases the creative versatility, richness and diversity of Singapore through multi-cultural and youthful performances involving the genres of music, dance and vocals.

The Singapore Showcase kicked off with the percussion groove of Ethnicity, an ethnic fusion pop band. Accompanied by dancers, singer Erick Guansing then soothed with the much-loved Singapore song Bunga Sayang (Flowers of Love) and a Chinese song, Voices from the Heart. Singapore Idol finalist Gayle Nerva came on later to sing Home to complete this medley of Singapore songs. "The Roses", a spunky all-girl hip hop group then revved up the mood before Singapore’s own "Football Freestylers" took to the stage to mesmerize with their nifty footwork combining football and dance. The Showcase ended with all performers bursting onto the stage performing "Celebrations", a striking finale of song, dance and movement.

The Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame is a 13-day journey to celebration cities, representing five continents, around the world. The Flame then arrives in Singapore on 6 August for a traditional six-day torch relay around the island nation. The five cities are:

1. Berlin, Germany representing Europe

2. Dakar, Senegal representing Africa

3. Mexico City, Mexico representing the Americas

4. Auckland, New Zealand representing Oceania

5. Seoul, Republic of Korea representing Asia

At each of the celebration cities, the Flame will journey to city landmarks and allow as many people as possible to welcome the Flame to the continent. The day will end off with a City Celebration, where the people of the city and continent join in the festivities to celebrate the world’s first Youth Olympic Games.

The Flame’s journey will culminate in the torch being brought to the Float@Marina Bay in Singapore, the world’s largest floating stage on 14 August 2010 where it will ignite the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games cauldron as part of the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the Games. Once lit, the Flame will continue to burn brightly throughout the 12 days of the Games until the Closing Ceremony on 26 August 2010.

For more information contact: Emerald Loh at media@singapore2010.sg

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