INNSBRUCK 2012 INAUGURAL WINTER YOG KICKS OFF!

13 January 2012

Innsbruck, 13th January – the capital of the Tyrol is chock-a-block with young athletes and their entourages, spectators and ... snow! The Olympic Village decorated with the flags of seventy countries resounds with the laughter and emotions expressed in as many languages as the athletes await the opening ceremony due to start in a few hours at the Bergisel Stadium, the same that hosted the 1964 and 1976 Olympic Winter Games.

Around a thousand athletes aged 15 to 18, among the best in Europe, 750 officials and a host of families and friends will live a unique sports and cultural experience through till the 22nd of January.

Apart the competitions in the seven sports on the programme - biathlon, le bobsleigh and skeleton, curling, ice hockey, skating, skiing and luge - the first edition of the winter YOG will, as did the summer edition, offer participants a very varied cultural and educational programme.

The young athletes will be free to choose from a range of workshops (video and TV, radio and music, digital photography, web), visit the YOG World Mile, a platform dedicated to intercultural dialogue, and take part in various projects organised in collaboration with the IOC, including:

- an "Olympic sustainability programme", that offers the opportunity of exploring the environs of Innsbruck and learn about the threats to the alpine environment

-"Artistic", for an exchange of ideas in dance, music and modern art

- "Competences" on the subject of the life of the high level athlete. Sports, educational and cultural personalities will act as role models and discuss the subject with the young athletes.

Interactive workshops will deal with subjects like nutrition and health, and a programme called "Body & Mind" will concentrate on the equilibrium between body and spirit.

The 2012 Olympic Youth Festival, will be a fun way of meeting people from all over the world.

At the "Mountain Snow & Fun Camp" on Innsbruck's ski slopes, they will try group activities such as making igloos, meet and make friends.

Visitors too will be initiated to sports and enjoy the fun of trying something new.

We wish one and all great Games!