Innsbruck Chosen to Host First Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012

Lausanne, Switzerland - December 12, 2008

Innsbruck, Austria will host the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012. The result was unveiled today by IOC President Jacques Rogge at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne. Innsbruck was elected over Kuopio, Finland in the final by 84 votes to 15. “We had two outstanding finalists which were both able to stage the Youth Olympic Games, according to the IOC’s requirements and Innsbruck has won”, declared IOC President Jacques Rogge after the announcement. The other candidate cities were Harbin, China and Lillehammer, Norway (site of the 1994 Olympic Winter Games).

Following the 1st Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, Innsbruck will be responsible for staging the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games, with approximately 1,000 athletes, aged 14 to 18.

The competition schedule will be based on the seven sports included in the Vancouver 2010 programme (biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating and skiing) with a limited number of disciplines and events.

The Youth Olympic Games are the flagship of the IOC’s determination to reach out to young people. These Games will not only be about competition, they will also be the platform through which youngsters will learn about the Olympic values and the benefits of sport, and share their experiences with other communities around the globe. “We are looking forward to joining in the celebration in Innsbruck in 2012,” Jacques Rogge added.

The Winter Youth Olympic Games are a 10-day multi-sport, cultural and educational event for young people and driven by young people, adding a new dimension to the Olympic ideal, complementing what is already being achieved through the Olympic Games and the numerous IOC projects to bring the Olympic values alive.

The Youth Olympic Games will bring together talented athletes to participate in high-level competitions and lead them on their way to becoming true Olympians. This event will allow the Olympic Movement to extend its reach and stimulate worldwide sports activities.

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