"Youth Olympics are about bringing people together”

The Youth Olympic Games are aimed at teaching athletes the Olympic values from a young age, Ambassador to Russia of host nation Singapore, Simon Tensing de Cruz, told RT.

”This is an opportunity to bring people together. Those are the Olympic ideals. I think the purpose of the first Youth Olympic Games is to do this at a much younger age for various athletes around the world,” he said.

The Ambassador also expressed hope that the young athletes will carry the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect through their whole lives.

From 14th to 26th August, more than 5,000 young athletes from all over the globe will be competing in 26 disciplines, with the program of events following the one that will run in London 2012.

This will also be the first sporting event to include both cultural and educational programs.