Singapore’s preparations for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) have
got off to an “exciting” start during a dinner function last week
attended by some 60 overseas delegates.
According to a Lianhe Wanbao report, at least three Singapore
female volunteers had lodged complaints of being sexually harrassed
by the delegates.
One of them, a 21 year old student described her experience to
the media:
“A 60 year old delegate from a Middle East country grabbed
me suddenly and asked me if I want to go to his hotel. Another
asked me directly where he can find young women to bed,”
she said.
Even a Shin Min reporter was not spared. She accused a delegate
of using his leg to stroke hers.
With 150 days to go to the event, Minister of Community, Youth
and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan had expressed concerns that the
“YOG fever” had yet to sweep across Singapore.
He called on Singaporeans last week “rally” behind
the YOG in order to make it a success.
Dr Vivian stressed that the “goal” is now to recreate the
buzz:
“We’ve got to find ways for the hawkers, for the taxi
drivers, the bus drivers, the small and medium enterprises to take
advantage of this wonderful opportunity to showcase their products
and their services to the world,” he added.
With the overseas YOG delegates already adding the “buzz” before
the event, Dr Vivian should be able to heave a sigh of relief.
News source: Lianhe Wanbao
