The past couple of days since our arrival in Singapore have largely been spent settling into the Olympic Village. For the coaches this means liaising with their Sports reps and finding out the training times they have been allocated and negotiating transport and other logistical hurdles in order to make sure that the athletes get the best preparation possible and feel most comfortable in the competition environment. For the athletes settling in has involved getting comfortable in their rooms, exploring the Olympic Village and getting used to the competition environment with some light training.

The realities of coping with the time change, jet lag, the heat and humidity as well as the expectations and hopes that rest upon each coach and athlete demand that this is a patient process. At this point it is very much about building a good base, literally in this context, from which we can move forward into the competition period over the next couple of weeks.

Spirits are good in the camp and after the first few days of travelling and living together the athletes are beginning to get to know each other and really experience the first of the Olympic Values, of which the Youth Olympic Games is a celebration, that of friendship.

There is a “Wow!come Session” being held tomorrow, which will celebrate the arrival of all athletes to the Youth Olympic Village – you can watch it live online here.

For some pictures from the Olympic Village click here.