SINGAPORE, 19 JUNE 2009 – The Singapore Youth Olympics will not start till next year, but young athletes from the 205 countries involved in the games can engage with one another ahead of the event, via a virtual world platform scheduled to go live next year.
The three-dimensional virtual world, to be developed by ST Electronics, enables youths around the world to learn more about sport, culture and the Olympic values. The young athletes can also learn more about the island of Singapore and the upcoming youth Olympics via this virtual platform.
Young people can also interact with one another through the games and sports activities that will be available in the virtual world.
“We are excited to bring Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games to an international audience through the virtual world,” said Goh Kee Nguan, chief executive officer, Singapore Youth Olympic Games organising committee. “People from around the world, especially youth, can know more about the games, cross physical boundaries, form virtual communities and interact with one another anytime and anywhere.”
Singapore’s Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) expects to extend the application of the virtual world to other sectors such as education, entertainment and e-government, after the games.
“The virtual world will demonstrate how infocomm technology can be harnessed for education and engagement of youths, including those from different countries,” said Ronnie Tay, chief executive officer, IDA. “The youth of today spend a fair amount of time online and are very infocomm-savvy. A virtual world would certainly be an appropriate platform to engage them.”
