IOC signs up Phelps as Youth Olympics ambassador

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-02-23 08:42

VANCOUVER: US swimmer Michael Phelps has become the first ambassador for the International Olympic Committee's Youth Olympics as it seeks to raise the profile of its inaugural event in Singapore this year.

Phelps is the most prolific Olympic gold medalist of all time after winning six gold medals at Athens in 2004 and eight in Beijing in 2008.

"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 summer," he said in a statement on Monday.

The IOC established the Youth Olympics, to be held every four years, in an effort to shore up dwindling support for the Games among younger people and to fight obesity among teenagers.

Singapore will host about 3,600 athletes, aged 14-18, competing in 26 sports in August.