体坛英语新闻：Enjoyable YOG can also be emotional

SINGAPORE, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Singapore Youth Olympic Games are supposed to be a big party for the athletes. But the enjoyable party could also witness emotional moments.

Eleven Youth Olympic Games champions celebrated victories on Thursday but a disqualified 400m hurdles runner won the same amount of the cheers and respect as the winners did.

Gregory Coleman from the United States received a standing ovation at the Bishan Stadium after he limped to the finish of his heat.

The medal contender collapsed after 200m and snapping his left hamstring but despite his obvious pain he rose to attempt several more hurdles before battling to the line.

"It meant more than winning the race," said Coleman, who was disqualified. "I had to do the best I could do with what I have. It hurt every time (I went over a hurdle) and it(the hamstring muscle) was getting stiffer."

The 17-year-old broke down to tears before he was taken to the medical center.

Croatian pole vaulter Ivan Horvat is determined to win a gold medal in Singapore, not for himself, but for his late father.

The 2009 World Youth Championships finalist lost his father to cancer on 2 August, 2010, 15 days before the start of the athletics competition in Singapore.

"I was deciding whether or not to come and compete in Singapore after my father died," he said. "I spoke to my family and in the end I made a personal decision to come and compete."

"Before this happened, I was going to come to Singapore for myself, now I want to do it for him. It hasn't affected my preparation too much. I haven't done anything different in my training. Actually, I haven't had much preparation," he said.

After claiming title in the Taekwondo boys' over 73kg event, Chinese athlete Liu Chang wanted to dedicate his gold medal to his grandma, who has passed away several years ago.

Liu's grandma was killed in a car accident on her way to watch her grandson's training session. Liu said: "My grandma was very supportive of my taekwondo training. So these years I am always holding the faith that I should pursue huge achievement in taekwondo, not only for me, but also for my grandma."

It is the first title claimed by Chinese male taekwondo athlete in world-class tournament.

"With this YOG medal, I can go back home and pay respects to my grandma at her tomb," Liu said, with tears in his eyes.

There are pains and sorrows in life. But sports may teach you how to conquer them.