Two-time OlympicChampion, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Olympic gold medallist, Asafa Powell, and
world youth champion, Dexter Lee, were the special guests at the Singapore Sports School for the
launch of the Friendship Camp for the Youth Olympic Games 2010. The Games will take place between
August 14 and 26.
The Friendship Camp is part of the culture-sharing and education component of the Games. The launch
included hundreds of young people representing nearly 100 of the participating nations.
aspiring athletes
The athletes, who are on a four-day tour of Singapore to help promote the Games as part of a Jamaican
contingent involving Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Olivia Grange, also participated in a forum and
gave tips and advice to aspiring athletes.
"Listen to your parents, and your coach, stay focused on what you want," said Dexter Lee when quizzed
about how one becomes a champion.
Replying to the same question, Veronica Campbell-Brown advised the young people to remain determined,
and always keep a clear head on race day.
"You cannot think about the person to your left or the right, just block out everything and listen for the gun,"
she said.
Former world record holder, Asafa Powell, fielded many questions about his ability to once again be the
world record holder for the 100 metres. Powell offered a prediction for his London 2012 performance.
"I am not going to be on the bronze-medal podium, nor the silver-medal podium. I am going to be on
the gold-medal podium," he declared.
While in Singapore, the athletes will participate in motivational talks, demonstration clinics and tours of schools
and sporting facilities.
Grange is leading the delegation of sports and music stars on a mission to help Singapore promote the inaugural
Youth Olympic Games; to finalise funding arrangements for the repair of the running tracks at the National Stadium
in Kingston; and to promote Jamaican music and culture as part of a market-penetration exercise.
Jamaica-star.com
