The official mascots for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games were unveiled Saturday by Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports.
The two mascots are Lyo, short for “Lion of the Youth Olympics”, and Merly, a combination of “mer” meaning the sea and “ly” standing for liveliness and youthfulness.
Lyo is a lion club and embodies the values of Excellence and Friendship while Merly, a merlion, personifies the values of Excellence and Respect.
Goh Kee Nguan, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee said, “as mascots for Singapore 2010, Lyo and Merly have to appeal to the international community and the youth. At the same time they must also possess a strong Singapore identity. As the host city of the inaugural YOG, we hope to share our culture with friends around the world. What better way to do it than to have Lyo and Merly represent us and the youth, and be the faces of the first YOG”.
Lyo and Merly will be appearing at many Singapore 2010 events in the coming months to promote the Games. Lyo and Merly plush toys and other Singapore 2010 merchandise were available for purchase for the first time at Saturday’s event. The first Singapore 2010 Official Olympic Store will open November 22.
