Today marks the “one year to go” milestone for Innsbruck 2012! In one year exactly, the world’s best young athletes of between 15 and 18 years old will attend the Opening Ceremony of the first edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games.
The Innsbruck 2012 Organising Committee will continue to celebrate this countdown from 4 February with the Youth Olympic Games Snow Festival in Innsbruck, and will invite the Tyrol’s young people to take part in these festivities. The main road through Innsbruck will become the OpenAir and Snowboard area, concerts and winter sport activities will be on offer and the official Innsbruck 2012 mascot will be unveiled, based on the ”Mountain Goat” design voted for by the public in December 2010.
Innsbruck 2012 will showcase over 1,000 young athletes representing their countries in the seven sports on the programme: biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating and skiing. Just like for Singapore 2010, new events and disciplines have been introduced into the sports programme: there will be a combined discipline of cross country and biathlon, as well as the first ever Olympic inclusion of women’s ski jumping. Athletes will also attend a comprehensive Culture and Education Programme (CEP), which will allow them to address key issues and learn new skills in a fun and interactive way.
Look out for more information on the Youth Olympic Games, as new competitions will be coming your way!
