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. world ski news : IOC President Jacques Rogge arrives in Innsbruck - 12 January 2012 - 19:25
WYOG. INNSBRUCK, Jan 12 – Youth Olympic Games visionary and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques ROGGE (BEL) arrived in Innsbruck on Thursday afternoon and was quick to express he expects excellence.
"We see great enthusiasm here for these Winter Games," ROGGE said. "I'm very confident that they will be excellent because it's very well prepared."
In his first few hours in the city, ROGGE posed for pictures with Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games mascot Yoggl against the backdrop of the Austrian Alps.
"Innsbruck is a unique city with all the venues very close to each other and, of course, the experience of the 1964 and 1976 Games," the IOC president said.
ROGGE's vision of an Olympic Games for young people became a reality at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games. Innsbruck marks the launch of the winter edition.
"The idea was one that was inspiring for young people," ROGGE said. "In Singapore they loved it. They loved the combination of sport but also culture and education."
ROGGE, who competed in sailing and became an Olympian at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games, defines excellence beyond podium standings.
"My definition of success is a spark in the eyes of the athletes and a smile on their face."
YIS IOC Young Reporter Kimiya Shokoohi/lm/rm
www.innsbruck2012.com
January 12, 2012
Innsbruck 2012: Dates, Facts and Figures
470,000 half-litre bottles will be provided for athletes, staff and Volunteersin the course of the ten days.
More than 40,000 meals will be served for staffmembers and Volunteers during Games-time.
3,500 bib numbers in the Innsbruck 2012 design have been produced forthe athletes, the forerunners and the youngsters participating in the SchoolSports Challenge.
3,000 pupils will be part of the School Sports Challenge.
2,012 Torchbearers are accompanying the Youth Olympic Flame on its wayacross Austria since it was lit in Athens on 17 December 2011. The Youth Olympic Torch Relay left Innsbruck on 27 December2011 and arrives in Bergisel Stadium 18 days later, on 13 January 2012, for theOpening Ceremony.
1,400 Volunteers from more than 50 nations are workingin 17 different Functional Areas.
1,059 athletes aged 15 to 18 will participate in the1st Winter Youth Olympic Games.
500 nationaland protocol flags will be hoisted on the occasion of the competitions and theceremonies of the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games.
Over 450 chefs, waiters and waitresses will be working for Food &Beverage Services, during the Youth Olympic Games.
372 medals will be awarded in 63 Medal Events in 15 Olympic wintersports disciplines.
150 Grey Eagles – Volunteers aged over 60, some of whom volunteered atthe Olympic Games in 1964 and 1976 – are part of the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012.
70 nations from all five continents will berepresented in Innsbruck.
14 innovative new events will be staged. This includesa mixed-discipline event (Cross County/Biathlon), mixed-gender events and mixed-nationevents.
The Youth Olympic Village consists of 13 newlyconstructed buildings featuring 444 flats and more than 1,500 beds.
12 venues will provide perfect conditions for bothathletes and fans.
For 10 days Innsbruck will be the host city of the 1stWinter Youth Olympic Games.
This is the third time Innsbruck, a paradise forwinter sports, welcomes the Olympic Family. No other city has ever had this honour.
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