Grevemberg was welcomed in a specially arranged meeting by the Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who is also the chair of Samoa 2015.

“Our preparations have entered the final straight,” said Malielegaoi.

“Samoa is proud to lead the Pacific region as host of such a major international event.

“Our small island nation stands ready to extend to all athletes and visitors from across the Commonwealth the hospitality and friendship for which Samoa is renown and to ensure that the Samoa Commonwealth Youth Games will not only deliver great experiences for young people and show what a small island Pacific nation can do, but leave a genuine and lasting legacy for all."

As part of the meeting Grevemberg helped to launch the medals for the Youth Games, with the design based upon traditional Samoan symbols, while also taking inspiration from the athletes who will be participating in the Games and the CGF’s values of humanity, equality and destiny.

The medals were designed by Nadya Va’a, who was successful in a nationwide competition, with her winning design earning praise from the CGF chief executive.

“In exactly three months time, the Closing Ceremony of the Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games will celebrate the participation of 1,000 athletes aged 14 to 18 who will compete for 107 Gold Medals in nine sports,” said Grevemberg.

“These medals are already powerful symbols of Samoan culture and will soon become an unforgettable reminder of the proud achievements of young Commonwealth athletes and I congratulate Nadya on her inspiring design.”

Additionally Grevemberg met with key Games officials, civic and tourism representatives and visited key sporting venues, schools and communities who are preparing to welcome around 1000 athletes and 250 officials in September, with the competition for many likely to be their first taste of an international multi-sport event.

Similarly to the Commonwealth Games competitors will stay in an athletes’ village with International Federation and world anti-doping standards applying to each of the nine sports, which will take place at two sporting complexes in the capital.

Archery, athletics, boxing, lawn bowls, rugby sevens, squash, swimming, tennis and weightlifting will appear at the fifth edition of the Youth Games, which are also aimed at allowing smaller nations to benefit from hosting a multi-sport event, in addition to reflecting the CGF’s ambition to inspire youth across the Commonwealth.

“Organisers are making great progress, and I’m confident and excited that the nation and its people are ready to deliver, host and enjoy a week of impactful sporting competition, personal development and international friendship on the world sporting stage,” Grevemberg said upon concluding his visit.

“I wish the organizers well with their final preparations and look forward to returning to celebrate their achievements in September.”

The visit to the Pacific island nation followed a meeting of the Oceania Commonwealth Games Associations in Auckland, New Zealand, where the CGF’s Transformation 2022 strategic plan was discussed by representatives from Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, ahead of being voted on at the CGF General Assembly in the city in September.

Related stories
May 2015:  Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa celebrates 100 days to go
March 2015:  Cowdrey appointed to lead Australian team at Commonwealth Youth Games
January 2015:  Exclusive: $4.4 million budget for 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games submitted to Saint Lucia Government
October 2014:  "A Young Commonwealth" announced as theme marking year to go until 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games
November 2011:  St Lucia to host 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games