Athletes being inspired for 'big Olympics', says Young Ambassador

NANJING, China - The Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games will inspire athletes to achieve higher goals, according to Young Ambassador and Olympian Monika Fasungova.

"It's great for them because it's really big, they can experience something amazing," said the retired badminton player. "When they think this is 'just' the youth Olympics, then what could it be like at the 'big' Olympics?"

Fasungova said the youngsters "will really want to go for the best results after Nanjing so that they can participate in the Olympics."

The 26-year-old Slovakian gave up badminton last year and now hopes to pass on her experience and inspire younger athletes.

"For them, to see people from the Olympics is very motivating. I can share this with them," Fasungova said.

When she started playing badminton, following her brother's passion, Fasungova did not even dream that she could one day become an Olympian.

"The Olympic Games were really far from me. But one day my federation asked me if I was interested to try to qualify, so I tried to practise more and to travel more to gain experience, and the Olympics got closer and closer to me and started to be more real."

So real, in fact, that Fasungova competed at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"It was such a good year for me. I had set myself three goals at the beginning of 2012 - to finish university, to be national champion again and to qualify for the Games. I was so proud of myself (when I achieved all three)."

Having stopped playing badminton, Fasungova now works in a sports travel agency. "I'm ready for other things in life," she said.

She believes the Youth Olympic Games could help her pursue a new career with her sport's national federation.

For now, Fasungova said she is enjoying spending time with young athletes and encouraging them to take advantage of everything the Youth Olympic Games has to offer.

"At the Olympics every athlete just focuses on sport and on their own results. Here as well, but it is also about the CEP (Culture and Education Program) and making friends."

In badminton that is particularly important in the new mixed doubles event, where players from different countries and regions are paired up.