The Innsbruck Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (IYOGOC) remains on track as it makes the transition from strategic planning to the operational phase of its preparations, they claimed.

Headed by chairman Gian-Franco Kasper (pictured), the Commission received presentations on all functional areas.

The IOC was particularly impressed with the progress made on the Youth Olympic Village, which is well ahead of schedule, they said.

During Games time, the village will accommodate approximately 1,660 athletes and officials from January 13-22.

The Athletes Village, one of the legacies of the Games, will be used as affordable housing after they have concluded.

The Commission noted that all permanent construction work is well on schedule for completion.

This includes the new ski jump platform and biathlon facilities in the Seefeld area that have already been finalised, strengthening the region's position as a centre of Nordic sports.

One of the unique elements of the Youth Olympic Games is the balance of high-level sport with a Culture and Education Programme (CEP).

The CEP was considered a resounding success in Singapore 2010, and the programme will be continued in Innsbruck.

The Commission validated Innsbruck's proposed CEP, which will feature interactive initiatives for all participants in 2012.

The programme will enable athletes to learn new skills, experience different cultures and cover key topics such as the benefits of healthy lifestyles, the dangers of doping, and the values of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

Communication and promotion of the Youth Olympic Games is well under way, with several successful digital media initiatives launched to target young people, as well as a significant increase in users on IYOGOC and IOC's social media channels.


A comprehensive promotional campaign in conjunction with the IOC and international federations will leverage key events this winter to raise the profile of Innsbruck 2012, they revealed.

In just over one month, Innsbruck 2012 will celebrate its one-year countdown, and will take the opportunity to present a number of engaging initiatives and events to mark the milestone.

Commenting on the visit, Kasper said: "Innsbruck 2012 has made great progress over the past six months and has effectively taken on board the lessons learnt in Singapore.

"IYOGOC has made several key appointments to support its team as it moves into operational planning.

"The Commission continues to be impressed by the creativity and energy from this small dynamic team and is confident that the hard work will continue in the crucial year ahead to deliver a successful first Winter Youth Olympic Games."

Norbert Darabos, Austria's Minister of Sports, said "I am very proud that Austria will host the first Winter Youth Olympic Games.

"We are well known for being a reliable and careful organiser and partner.

"Our country enjoys a long-standing tradition in winter sports, so I am sure that the Austrian people will fully support this great event."

The volunteer programme Innsbruck 2012 launched two months ago has already attracted hundreds of applications, two thirds of which have come from outside Austria.

In addition to gaining valuable experience as official observers at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore this summer, IYOGOC continues to benefit from the IOC's Transfer of Knowledge Management Programme, which also includes the transfer to Innsbruck 2012 of a comprehensive range of information from previous Organising Committees.


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