(ATR) The IOC Coordination Commission for the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games gives the thumbs up to Chinese organizers following its first inspection visit to the city.
"We are very impressed with the progress that the organizers have made in the short time since Nanjing was elected in Vancouver last year," commission chair Alexander Popov said Thursday.
"Preparations are well-advanced and the team has been building a strong foundation from the very beginning.
"They have wasted no time in learning from Singapore 2010, and the IOC has no doubt that Nanjing 2014 will continue to build upon the success of the first Youth Olympic Games."
The coordination commission’s check-up on Nanjing's preparations coincided with a two-day city-to-city debrief on the Singapore 2010 YOG that was regarded as a success by the IOC. Singapore's IOC member NG Ser Miang led the debrief.
Essar Gabriel, the IOC's director of the Youth Olympic Games, and Olympic Games executive directorGilbert Felli were among those who participated in the transfer of knowledge meeting.
Nanjing 2014 organizers are coming up to the one-year mark in their preparations; the Chinese city was awarded the YOG at the IOC session in Vancouver on Feb. 10 last year.
Organizers are currently in the foundation-planning phase for the 2014 summer YOG.
The IOC inspectors were updated on the extensive work already completed in Nanjing's Games Foundation Plan, the blueprint that lays out the vision and organisational plans to deliver the Games in three-and-a-half years. Commission members were told that a well-integrated local-governance framework is now in place.
Nanjing organizers also presented an updated master plan for venues, with the integration of golf and rugby sites included.
Popov and his colleagues conducted a venue tour that included the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre and Youth Olympic Village site, the only venue being built for the YOG.
Construction planning for the village is currently under way and on schedule, the IOC confirmed today.
Lu Zhipeng, acting deputy secretary general of Nanjing 2014, said Nanjing was learning from the successful experience of the Singapore YOG organisers, "and will make sure that all the opportunities and unique resources in Nanjing and its Organising Committee are utilised".
"We will ensure the success of the Games to the very highest standards to help boost the development of Nanjing and the region," said Lu, who is also deputy mayor of Nanjing.
About 3,600 young athletes aged 15 to 18 will be competing in 28 sports in the second summer YOG.
With reporting from Mark Bisson
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