Yesterday, I became a part of Olympic history. I took part in the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame and I cannot even begin to describe what the experience was like, but I'm going to try my best.

First, a little background information about the YOF. It's journey started in Greece, specifically Olympia on 23 July 2010. It then started it's journey around the world where it travelled to five cities which represented the five different continents. The JYOF will pass through this five cities dubbed the celebration cities: Berlin(Germany), Dakar(Senegal), Mexico City(Mexico), Auckland(New Zealand) and Seoul(South Korea). The Flame reached our sunny shores on 5th August. An interesting fact is that the International Olympics Committee(IOC) has actually decreed that there would be no more international torch relays after the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Prior to that, only twice has the Olympic Flame been carried over more than one continent and that happened in the Beijing 2008 Olympics and the Athens 2004 Olympics. However the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) made an appeal to the IOC and they made an exception for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games(YOG). Therefore the JYOF is made even more special as this is the last time the Olympic Flame will be carried in an international relay.

When I first heard that I was chosen to be a torchbearer, I was so overwhelmed I actually teared. I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the news, I jumped up and down and screamed. Prior to the big day, I did my homework and read up about the JYOF and the Olympic Flame. The day before the relay, I attended the community celebrations at Nanyang Polytechnic to experience the atmosphere and to report on the event.

On my day of the relay, I made my way down to St Patrick's School to report before the afternoon leg of the JYOF started. We were given number tags and a short briefing before they herded us onto special red JYOF buses to drop us off at our designated pick up points. It was a long journey but it was anything but boring. I was interacting with the other torchbearers in the bus and found them to be of different ages, occupations and races. Everyone was represented, from kids to the elderly, students to Grass Roots leaders.

Posing with the torch at St Patrick's School

Posing for one last picture before we head off

Check out the convoy that accompanied us

It took about an hour to get to my drop off point but time passed quickly as I was standing at the window the entire time waving to all the supporters that lined the streets. The support and love shown for the torchbearers and JYOF was truly amazing. As we passed by the residential areas, we saw entire communities out there along the streets waving our national flags, YOG flags and some even printed out special banners declaring their support for the YOG. A wedding and soccer game even stopped their events to come out to the roadside to support the JYOF as the convoy passed by. But I have to say, the craziest support came from the Coca Cola and Samsung Cheer buses. These guys were incredible, they were with us throughout our journey, screaming blowing their vuvuzelas and frantically waving anything they had to cheer us on. All the people on these buses were selfless people who volunteered their weekends to be part of the cheer squads. I salute you guys! Thank you so much for all the support and love given ♥

On the way to the drop off point

Supporters along the way

Nurses outside Changi Hospital who abandoned their work to come support the JYOF

Two little boys who followed us on their bikes all the way from the start of the journey to the end. Thought they deserved at least a photo for their commendable perserverance. I wonder how they got back to Bedok from Simei after the event..

When it was finally my turn to be dropped off, I dismounted from the bus and was greeted by my fellow SMEs and the energetic Samsung cheer squad positioned at my lamp post. After posing for a quick group picture with them, I went onto the road to wait for Jenifer to appear with the torch. I did not have to wait long before she arrived escorted by the support runners. We posed for a few seconds in front of the media van before she passed the torch to me and then off I went. I smiled from ear to ear, waving to any supporters I saw along the way. I must say, the torch was heavier than I expected as my arm was aching during the journey. Nevertheless I perservered to keep the Flame high in the air, lifting it up proudly. Before I knew it, my 200m journey with the Flame was over and I had to pass it on to the next Torchbearer. I waited a minute or so before the pick up bus came to collect me. My fellow torchbearers greeted me with cheers, handshakes, highfives and hugs when I boarded the bus. We eagerly exchanged experiences and laughter as we were sent to ITE East where the Flame was to rest for the night and for the community celebration of the day. After the celebrations ended, I was grabbed for an interview with mediacorp where they asked me what it was like to be the torchbearer and what were my thoughts about the JYOF. Look out for the Samsung ads over the next few weeks where the footage from my interview will be aired!

The awesome Samsung cheer bus!

The Samsung cheer squad positioned at my lamp post

Posing for a picture with the Samsung cheer squad. Thanks so much for being there, you guys are amazing!

Receiving the torch from Jenifer

Posing for the cameras, check out the huge beam on my face

Anddddd I'm off!

Waving and smiling as I go

Check out all the people escorting me :D

Overall, I have to say the experience was an amazing one. I'll never forget what it was like to be holding the torch and running down the street waving to everyone. I remember looking up at the Torch in awe and thinking to myself, "Wow this was the Flame that has travelled through 5 different continents and I'm carrying it right now!" The feeling of pride not only for myself but for my nation as well was simply uplifting. I forgot my fatigue and strove to bear the torch high and proud for the rest of my journey. I am proud to represent Singapore and Samsung in the JYOF and I thank Samsung for giving me this wonderful opportunity. Check out the pictures from my journey below. All images were taken using my Samsung Galaxy S.  I also took videos along the way and am trying to figure out how to upload them. Stay tuned for my next entry on National Day! (:

Group picture of all the torchbearers on Bus 7, thanks for sharing this wonderful experience with me! (: