Plenary

STATEMENT BY MR PHILIP ONG CHONG HANG, DELEGATE TO THE 66th SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 11(a), BUILDING A PEACEFUL AND BETTER WORLD THROUGH SPORT AND THE OLYMPIC IDEAL, 17 OCTOBER 2011 

Mr President

Singapore would like to welcome the successful adoption of the resolution entitled 'Building a Peaceful and Better World through Sport and the Olympic Ideal'. Singapore is pleased to co-sponsor this meaningful resolution.

2 Much has been said about how sport can play a crucial role in the efforts of the United Nations to improve the lives of people around the world. It builds bridges between individuals and across communities, creating fertile ground for sowing the seeds of camaraderie and peace. By promoting a philosophy of life based on the Olympic values of "Striving for excellence", "Demonstrating respect" and "Celebrating friendship", Olympism shows that sport can help to build a better world. By promoting friendly rivalry through competitive sport rather than combat, the Olympic Games since inception have been associated with promoting peace and today the Games enjoy a very important symbolic value in this regard.

Mr President,

3 Singapore is also honoured to associate ourselves with the Olympic Movement through our hosting of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) from 14 to 26 August 2010. The YOG, the brainchild of IOC President Jacques Rogge, aims to inspire and engage a young generation that is increasingly spending less time on sports. "Inspiring Youth, Sporting Singapore": these four simple words expressed the essence of the YOG in Singapore. From the start, the vision for the YOG was an event filled with unforgettable experiences that would inspire all 3530 youth athletes and their families and communities to embrace, embody and express the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect in their lives. The YOG also emphasized the learning of Olympic values through sports and applying those values to life beyond sports. The message was clear: "Everyone can make the world better: no deed is too small".

4 In organising the YOG in Singapore, the intention was to create something of value to the Olympic Movement and the youth of the world. As such, the notion of "Inspiring Youth" took on a double meaning: the Games would inspire the youth; at the same time, the youth themselves would inspire others through their spirit, character and physical talent. This led the Singapore YOG Organising Committee and its partners to create innovative initiatives that would commemorate not only victories, but also participation.

5 The Culture and Education Programme (CEP), a defining element of the YOG which comprised over 50 interactive activities along the five educational themes of Olympism, Skills Development, Well-Being and Healthy Lifestyle, Social Responsibility and Expression, provided opportunities for the athletes to learn more about the host country and each other's culture and history. The CEP highlighted the value of understanding and appreciating different backgrounds and societies and of building and sustaining friendships that could flourish across borders. When our youth develop their confidence, belief and determination to succeed not only in the playing field, but to champion their values and conviction to make a positive impact in their communities, they will inspire the building of a better and peaceful world.

Mr. President,

6 The YOG is a living and colourful laboratory for some of life's most enduring lessons. At the YOG in Singapore, Britain's gymnast Sam Oldham showed tenacity by winning gold despite a surprise loss earlier in the competition. The likes of Singapore's Rainer Ng and Jordan's Dana Touran, both silver medallists in swimming and taekwondo respectively, showed that smaller nations can make a large impression too. Athletes like China's Gu Yuting and Tunisia's Adem Hmam, who teamed up in table tennis, learnt what it meant to work across cultures, achieving a well-deserved bronze medal. England's volunteer Aisha Naibe-wey's march over 160km to raise funds for her trip to Singapore won her deserved praise and 82-year old Ajit Singh, Singapore's oldest torchbearer, learnt youth is eternal.

7 Our delegation looks forward to many more inspiring tales of passion and hope at future Games. In particular, the XXX Summer Olympic Games and XIV Summer Paralympic Games in London next year are special to many Singaporeans as the 117th IOC Session, which elected the host city for the Games, was held in Singapore. We are confident that the United Kingdom will spare no efforts in its preparations for the Games in the coming months and would like to extend to the London Organising Committee our best wishes for a successful Olympic Games.

8 Thank you.

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