News

Sports shutterbugs can show off chops at YOG

Calling all those interested in sports photography: here's your chance to capture the best moments at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG), which will be held in Singapore from Aug 14 to 26.The Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) is looking for photographers with tertiary qualifications and above who have an interest in volunteering for the YOG.They can sign up for the YOG's photography workshop, where experienced photographers and trainers will provide hands-on training at sports events such as the weightlifting, volleyball, athletic and rowing competitions at the upcoming Friendship Games.Participants will be provided with equipment and given tips to improve their sports-photography skills. After the workshop, SYOGOC will assign selected participants for specific photography roles during the YOG.To date, more than 200 participants have registered. Registration closes on Sunday. Sign up at

Technical Delegates in London for 2012 Olympic Games inspection visit

Mr. Sam Coffa, IWF Vice President and Mr. Attila Ádámfi, IWF Competition Director are currently visiting London in their capacity as Technical Delegates for the 2012 Olympic Games.The TDs are visiting and inspecting venues and discussing the preparations with LOCOG 2012 represented by Ms. Debbie Jevans, Director of Sport, Mr. David Luckes, Head of Sport Competition, Mr. Matthew Curtain, Weightlifting Manager. The Technical Delegates availed themselves of the opportunity to meet with the officials of the weightlifting federations of the "Home Countries" within the British Olympic Association: GBR, WAL, NIR, SCO.

300 Muscle men converge in Lagos

Over 300 lifters from across the country are expected to converge this weekend in Lagos as the Nigerian Weightlifting Federation (NWF) concludes plans to conduct trials for the selection of the best lifters that will hoist the nations flag at the forthcoming Youth Olympic Games qualification tournament in Cairo, Egypt. The Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, is the venue of the national men and women open senior/junior weightlifting championship which runs from February 28 to March 3rd, 2010. Secretary of NWF, Uche Onwumeh said the trials was necessary since it was aimed at selecting the best lifters that will represent Nigeria at the Cairo meet. The President of NWF, Chimdi Ejiogu has called on all states to ensure that their lifters participate in the trials since the opportunity is there for every lifter to prove him or herself. "The championship is open to all Weightlifters across the country since it will be used to select those that will fly the country's flag at the forthcoming African Junior Weightlifting Championship/Youth Olympic Games qualifier holding in Cario Egypt. "The event is crucial if Nigeria must participate at the African Youth Championship where the continental representatives at the Singapore Youth Olympic Games will be picked. Nigeria which is champions of Africa when it comes to weightlifting cannot afford to present mediocre lifters at the African Junior Weightlifting fiesta. The best lifters that will emerge from this championship will be called to resume camping in Lagos immediately", said the NWF Boss. (By Solomon

Jang Mi-ran to Sign Mega Deal with Goyang City

Olympic gold medalist and world champion weightlifter Jang Mi-ran plans to re-sign a contract with Goyang City for an unprecedented W1.2 billion over the next three years (US$1=W1,148). Jang was offered an initial signing fee of W500 million to W600 million and an annual salary of W200 million, which is double what she was paid in the past and the highest in Korean weightlifting history. Earlier in the month, a gym in her name, the Goyang Jang Mi-ran Gym opened in her honor. (The Chosun

New General Secretary of weightlifting for FSM

The new General Secretary of weightlifting for FSM (Federated States of Micronesia) is Manuel Minginfel. Three times Olympian and silver medal in the clean & jerk at the 2006 World Championships in Santo Domingo in the 62kg

Phelps enjoys sidelines

The Olympic swimming superstar is attending the Vancouver Winter Olympics. "I think it's cool to be a spectator," Phelps said in an interview. "I've competed at three summer Olympics and it's nice to see the other side of it. You know what they're going through because you've lived it, so to see how they react and compete is really special." The 24-year-old American swimmer who has amassed 14 gold medals and two bronze medals in the past two summer Games, arrived in Vancouver to make some appearances for Olympic sponsor Omega. He's not an expert on winter sports but knows the names of several U.S. hockey players, including forward Chris Drury, from playing the video game NHL Hitz. He also attended the University of Michigan with U.S. defenceman Jack Johnson and they used to lift weights together. Phelps' quest to compete in the 2012 London Olympics and become the winningest Olympian of all time has him spending more time training out of the pool than in the past, with yoga, Pilates, running, boxing exercises and weightlifting becoming a more important part of his daily regimen. "The big thing is to keep it more interesting and do some things that are not normal for swimmers. It's needed after you've been staring at a black line [under water] for 14 years."Michael Phelps Becomes Youth Olympic Games Ambassador Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps today became the first official Ambassador of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG). The 16-time Olympic medallist, who is visiting Vancouver to catch some of the Olympic Winter Games action, will support the Youth Olympic Games by encouraging the involvement of young people around the world. Michael Phelps said "The Youth Olympic Games is an excellent initiative, not only for the athletes competing, but also those who are inspired to get into sport and be more active. I am delighted that I have been given the opportunity to become the first official Ambassador of the Youth Olympic Games, and can't wait to get working with the YOG team to promote the first event this