PM Lee Hsien Loong at the Community Celebration for the first day of the Singapore Leg of the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame

I am happy to join you this evening to welcome the Youth Olympic Flame to Central Singapore North.

Youth Olympic Flame was lit in Greece on 23 July 2010. It journeyed to one city in each of the five continents – Berlin, Dakar, Mexico City, Auckland and Seoul – and arrived in Singapore for a six-day round island torch relay. Today is our first day of torch relay. The Flame has travelled through Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Toa Payoh and Yio Chu Kang.

Glad that the Youth Olympic Flame received a warm welcome as it made its way through our housing estates. This is the spirit we should show the world for the Games. YOG is an event that we can all be part of. Let us show the world what Singapore can do.

Many Singaporeans, especially young ones, are actively involved. All our students have gone through an Olympic Education Programme. Each school is twinned with one of the countries taking part, so students can get to know more about the teams. 20,000 volunteers are ready to welcome and serve the participants and guests. Schools, community and youth groups have organised many activities to celebrate the YOG

All Singaporeans can play a part — attend the games to catch the sporting action and cheer our young athletes, be gracious to the visitors, and impress with our courtesy and warmth, and make the inaugural YOG a memorable Games for everyone.