Bolt to be ambassador at Youth Olympic Games

Olympic 100m champion and world record holder Usain Bolt has agreed to be an ambassador at the August 14-26 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

The Jamaican great has joined a star-studded list of athletes, which includes Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps and pole vault queen Yelena Isinbayeva, as the Games ambassadors, a media release said.

Bolt, who holds the World and Olympic records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m-relay events, will encourage young people around the globe to become more active in sport in his role as ambassador for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, it said.

About his role Bolt said he was happy to provide inspiration to budding athletes taking part in the Games.

"I know how important it is to have mentors and role models when you are young to help give you focus and dreams to aspire to. I couldn't be happier to be an ambassador for the first Youth Olympic Games and to provide inspiration and encouragement to the young athletes participating in Singapore this summer and to kids everywhere," he said.

IOC President Jacques Rogge also welcomed Bolt to the list of Games ambassadors.

"We are very pleased that Usain will now join Michael and Yelena as Youth Olympic Games ambassadors. These athletes are at the very top of their respective sports and they know the importance of having inspirational figures in their lives," the IOC chief said.