My colleague Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports,
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan,
| 1. |
First of all, on behalf of the Government and
people of Singapore, I would like to express our deepest condolences
to our colleagues and friends from London, many of whom have
been here to attend this IOC session. |
| 2. |
The calmness and the resolve with which Londoners have responded
to these attacks reinforces the determination of all of us to
steadfastly oppose terrorists and their criminal acts. |
| 3. |
We hope that through the unifying spirit of sport, the spirit
of our common humanity will shine through. |
| 4. |
It has been a great honour for the Singapore National Olympic
Council, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports,
the Singapore Sports Council and all Singaporeans to welcome
the Olympic Family here to Singapore, and to have taken part
in this celebration of sports as host of the 117th Session of
the International Olympic Committee. |
| 5. |
In the past week, Singaporeans have been enthralled by the
proceedings at the IOC Session, and by the procession of luminaries
that have arrived at our shores. |
| 6. |
However, what strikes me most about the past week has been
the PASSION, the COMMITMENT and the GOOD WILL that all the delegates
have brought with them to Singapore - the IOC members, the members
of the sporting fraternity, and the representatives from the
various candidate cities. It is indeed humbling to see how sports
can truly bring the world together. |
| 7. |
If we all take just one thing away from the events of the
past week, I hope it is the understanding that sports do bring
out the best in people, be they athletes or statesmen. |
| 8. |
The Olympic Games celebrate our common humanity, and just
like the Games this session has reminded us how much we all
have in common and how we can respect and celebrate our differences.
|
| 9. |
When Singapore first began the groundwork for this session,
we thought we had a good idea of what it would take to hold
an efficient and successful meeting. |
| 10. |
Never did it cross our mind that this session would grow to
this magnitude and significance, both in size and interest.
It has been a great privilege and challenge for us to put this
session together. |
| 11. |
Would like to thank all those who have stepped forward to
help make this possible especially our volunteers; and all those
who have remained in the background, unseen, who have attended
to the logistics and security. |
| 12. |
If there have been any shortcomings or any aspect in which
we have not come up to your expectations, please do accept my
apologies, and please do let us know, so that we can do better. |
| 13. |
We hope, in the not too distant future, to be able to play
a part again in the traditions of the Olympic Movement. We hope
your time in Singapore has been enjoyable and memorable. Thank
you for letting us show you something of this little island
we call home, and may you all have a safe return journey to
your homes. |
Thank you.
