Singapore is hosting the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) from 14 to 26 August 2010. The Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games receives some 5,000 athletes and officials from the 204 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), along with estimated 1,200 media representatives, 20,000 local and international volunteers, and more than 370,000 spectators. Young athletes - aged between 14 and 18 years - will compete in 26 sports.

 

The Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games aims to inspire youth around the world to embrace, embody and express the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.

 

Here are some behind-the-scenes of the biggest sporting event for below 18 year olds.

 

Left: YOG mascots Lyo and Merly parade around the Sengkang Hockey Stadium in between matches.

 

Photographer: Ethan Lim

 

 

 

 

Smells like teen spirit. Cheerleaders jump and call out to hockey fans before the match.

 

 

Photographer: Ethan Lim

 

 

 

Hundreds of thousands have been stranded and left homeless in their country but Pakistani supporters are banding together for this athletic cause.  Their hockey team defeated Ghana 6-3 in the opening match.

 

 

Photographer: Ethan Lim

 

 

 

The Korean team runs drills before their handball match at the International Convention Centre.

 

 

Photographer: Ethan Lim

 

 

 

Called the deadly art, capoeiristas move rhythmically to the beat of the drum during half times.

 

 

Photographer: Ethan Lim

 

 

 

A young troublemaker gets detained by the police at the International Convention Centre.

 

 

Photographer: Ethan Lim

 

 

YOG booths set up in Suntec City Convention Center, which will become a hub for the Culture and Education Programme offering Arts and Culture performances and Discovery Activity.

 

This includes an Olympic Gallery, interactive exhibits on healthy living and demonstrations of selected Youth Olympic Games sports.

 

 

Photographer: Ethan Lim

 

 

 

 

For the hard playing, growing, young athlete,  good nutrition is a key component of athletic performance.

 

 

Photographer: Ethan Lim

 

 

 

 

YOG volunteers teach kids the basics of boxing at the "learn to play program".

 

 

Photographer: Ethan Lim

 

 

 

Singapore fans cheer for the home team during the boys preliminary 3-on-3 basketball game at *scape Youth Space.

 

 

Photographer: Ethan Lim

 

 

 

A thrilling action on the court at the boys preliminary 3-on-3 basketball match between Singapore and Israel on August 17.

 

Israel crushes Singapore 27-14.

 

 

Photographer: Ethan Lim

 

 

 

Photographers in action shooting during a hockey match at the Sengkang Hockey Stadium

 

 

 

Photographer: Ethan Lim