Innsbruck 2012 Games make history and exceed expectations
The first edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games electrifies athletes and the public with a mix of sport, education and culture
Young athletes of 70 countries have taken part in Games held at the Austrian mountains (Photo: Innsbruck 2012)
The inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games, held in Innsbruck, Austria, came to an end last Sunday, 22 January, after ten days of competitions and celebrations. Over a thousand elite young athletes aged 14 to 18 from 70 nations competed and participated in an extensive educational and cultural programme which engaged enthusiastic crowds of visitors and Austrians in a historic and memorable event.
Over 110 thousand spectators attended the competitions. The official website of Innsbruck 2012 had over 4.7 million visits during the event. Circa 900 media professionals covered a multitude of attractions in the city, including 63 medal events in 15 sports. The German team had top results, claiming 17 total medals, eight being gold. China grabbed seven gold medals, 15 in all, whereas Austria, the host country, won seven gold medals and 13 medals in all.
“I must say we’ve had excellent Games. The Organising Committee did a brilliant job, the athletes were happy and we saw the best of sport”, said the President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, at the Games Closing Ceremony.
Rogge also highlighted the Educational and Cultural Programme, which involved young athletes in various themes, such as doping prevention and the importance of those teens preparing themselves for a professional and social career for the time in their lives when they are no longer athletes.
“After two good inaugural events, Singapore 2010 [Youth Olympic Games] and Innsbruck 2012, the concept of mixing sport, culture and education was well received by the federations and athletes. We will certainly work out ways to take this programme to the traditional Games”, the President remarked.
Some of the sports and disciplines contested in Innsbruck 2012 will be inaugurated in Sochi 2014, the next edition of the traditional Winter Olympic Games: Halfpipe Skiing, Biathlon Relay, Luge Relay, Women’s Ski Jumping and Figure Skating (team event).
Lillehammer, Norway, will be hosting the next edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games in four years. Nanjing, China, is hosting the Summer Youth Olympic Games two years before that.
