Dubai: Legendary pole vaulter Sergei Bubka of Ukraine, Russian swimmer Alexander Popov and sprinter Frank Fredericks of Namibia are on the list of athletes who have been chosen as ambassadors of the Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore this summer.
The list figuring nearly 50 athletes worldwide was finalised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier this week in an attempt to boost the build-up to the YOG scheduled in Singapore from August 14-26.
These top-class athletes have been chosen as Athlete Role Models (ARMs) for the inaugural edition of the YOG. The role models were appointed by the International Federations taking part in the YOG and by the IOC Athletes' Commission.
The ARMs will be in Singapore to mentor the 3,600 young athletes who are expected to attend the Youth Olympic Games. Among other activities, the ARMs will spend time with the athletes and will participate in activities during the Culture and Education Programme. This will focus on five themes: Olympic values, skill development, well-being and healthy lifestyles, social responsibility and expression through digital media.
Athletes at the Youth Olympic Games will be encouraged to engage in conversation with the ARMs, who will attend the competitions, visit the Youth Olympic Village and feature in "Chat with Champions" forums designed to inspire and educate the participants with personal accounts of their own dreams and experiences, and the challenges they have overcome.
