The inaugural Youth Olympic Games took place with great fanfare last month in Singapore, with UCS figuring prominently into the IOC’s latest competition. The games took place over 12 days in mid-August and featured 3,531 athletes ages 14 to 18 competing in 26 programs in front of more than 350,000 spectators.

The introduction of the games, which also included culture and educational components, promise to be a hallmark of the tenure of IOC chief Jacques Rogge. In addition to familiar Summer Olympic programs, the games put a new twist on traditional events by staging things like outdoor nighttime diving, three on three basketball and mixed-team swimming.

“I thought they did wonderful job representing the games,” said Mike Chappell, who represented UCS at the event. “They focused more on sportsmanship and the spirit of athletic competition with best and honest effort rather than just winning, in addition they staged some great culture exchange events.”

Continuing their historic run as the premiere vaulting pole on the international stage, UCS Spirit Vaulting Poles were used by four medalists: gold and silver in the boys event and gold and bronze in the girls event.

UCS equipment that was used during the event included the Ultimate Series Automatic Hurdles, High Jump Standards, UCS/Spirit Crossbars, the Purple Flyer Discus, Orange Flyer Discus, UCS Shot puts, UCS Distance Marker Boxes and the 1380 High Jump Landing Area and 1900 Pole Vault Landing Area. UCS also debuted the Grand Prix Pole Vault Standards, which will be available in the U.S. market on January 1st.

UCS would like to thank Hong Seng Sports Industries PTE Ltd. for their efforts in the acquisition and coordination of the equipment for its use.