The 16-year-old, who is set to represent her country in the sport, said featuring at Lausanne 2020 will help get ski mountaineering "better known".

Ski mountaineering events will take place at Villars-sur-Ollon from January 10 to 14.

Five gold medals will be on offer in the sport at Lausanne 2020 as sprint and individual events for men and women, and a mixed National Olympic Committee relay, are on the schedule.

Deseyn said the sprint competitions will be particularly exciting for spectators who may not have seen the sport before.

"This will help to get our sport better known," she said.

"Especially the sprint, which is interesting to watch. 

"Everything happens very fast, and it’s amazing to see the speed of the transitions."

Deseyn added: "In just a few minutes you go up with your skins on, then carry your skis, take your skins off, set up your bindings, ski down, and do a bit of skating at the end. 

"The individual event lasts longer, around an hour. 

"I think that if there’s one discipline you must watch on television or the internet, it has to be the sprint."

Deseyn, who started her career as a track and field athlete before switching to ski mountaineering, said it was "amazing" to be part of Lausanne 2020.

"Above all they’re taking place in my back yard in Leysin, where the freestyle skiing and snowboarding events will be held," she added.

"There are banners and flags everywhere, and when I get home, I see my village decorated with the Youth Olympic Games colours. 

"I like that a lot."