Olympics: S’porean on London Olympic torch relay experience

SINGAPORE: Archer Abdud Dayyan is hoping his London Olympic torch relay experience can motivate him to do better in his sport.

Dayyan ran in the Brighton leg of the torch relay, covering a distance of 300 metres recently.

He had the rare honour to be part of the relay as he is a Coca Cola Athlete Ambassador for the London Games.

Back in Singapore, the teen and his torch are in hot demand as friends and family want a snapshot with both.

A bronze medalist at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games two years ago, the 19—year—old is now more motivated to excel in his sport.

He said: "Next year there will be lots of competitions like Youth Cup and other championships for our preparations for the 2013 SEA games in Myanmar and we will work hard for it, to prove ourselves so that we will get archery into 2015 SEA Games."

The torch weighs 800 grams and one of the reasons the designers wanted it to be light was the fact that more than half of the 8,000 torch bearers in the London torch relay are as young as 12 years old. This also explains the 8,000 circles designed on the torch so as reduce its weight without compromising the strength.

— CNA/ck