When I learned from the news that the expenditure was three times more than the budget during the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), I was not shocked. I did not take it as a big mistake and we should not blame anybody. It was an inaugural international event. There was no example that we could refer it to. I did not try to follow up that which aspect that we did not estimate more accurately. I just thought of a Chinese saying of One Man Sows and Another Reaps (前人植树，后人纳凉。).

There were about 3600 athletes staying in the Youth Olympic Village (YOV) during the Games. Many of the athletes came to Singapore for the first time. They had the opportunity to visit Singapore because we were the host city of the inaugural YOG. Other than the athletes, there were members of National Olympic Committee (NOC) came together with the teams. Besides, there were groups of reporters, coaches and family members of the athletes came to Singapore because of the Games.

I was a volunteer with the position of Media Operations Supervisor. I met many reporters for the eight days when I was on duty. Many reporters told me that it was the first time for them to be in Singapore. It was mainly because we held the Games. I came to know about a number of countries that I did not know before. The athletes were well received in the YOV. Other than the competitions, they took part in the cultural and educational programmes. They built up international friendship in the YOV. When they grew up and were be able to travel on their own, they would think of Singapore and the good old days they spent in Singapore. As we took up the challenge to hold the Games in such a short time, we had projected our images to many people who might not know Singapore at all.

Majority of the NOC members and reporters were satisfied with the services provided by the volunteers. They were friendly and polite to us. Although there was a handful of just passable volunteers, there were experienced volunteers gave a helping hands whenever they were at the spot. Many guests showed their appreciation to us. They were understanding. They accepted our suggestions whenever matters we could not helped them immediately. I have learnt to be grateful and understanding from the eight days I spent at the YOG. Be Grateful and Understanding! That was what we had to learn from. We provided excellent service to our international friends and they would remember me forever.