OCA chief praises 'creative' Virtual Torch Relay for AYG

Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah has praised the "clever and creative" Virtual Torch Relay designed to promote the 2nd Asian Youth Games to be held in Nanjing, China, in August.
Organising committee NAYGOC held a traditional flame-lighting ceremony and launched the Virtual Torch Relay in Nanjing today, marking the 100-day countdown to the Opening Ceremony on August 16.
The Virtual Torch Relay will run online for three months and pass through 238 cities and tourist spots in Asia, China and Nanjing. The OCA's 45 member National Olympic Committees will celebrate the arrival of the torch in their region with online games and other festivities involving the youth.

In a video message at the Nanjing ceremony, Sheikh Ahmad congratulated the organising committee, government officials and citizens for their hosting of the 2nd AYG.
"It is a very good idea to create the online Torch Relay. This is about sport and about the new generation - the youth. You have mixed youth and technology and this is a very clever and creative idea."
A more traditional Torch Relay will be held much closer to the Opening Ceremony, involving 800 torchbearers and two 5km routes: on top of the Ming Dynasty city wall and following a culture and education course.

The OCA's 2nd AYG will run from August 16-24 and feature 118 events in 15 sports for athletes aged between 14 and 17.