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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today named
Lillehammer, Norway, as the host city of the 2nd Winter
Youth Olympic Games in 2016.
Lillehammer, which hosted the 1994 Olympic Winter Games,
was elected by the IOC members via postal vote, the
deadline for which was 5 December. As the only city in
contention, Lillehammer needed – and received – a
majority to obtain victory.
“We are excited to be going back to Lillehammer, which
hosted unforgettable Winter Games in 1994,” said IOC
President Jacques Rogge. “The city, the government and
Norwegian National Olympic Committee have shown a great
desire and commitment to hosting these Games, and we are
confident that Lillehammer will provide a world-class
experience for the young athletes in just over four
years’ time.”
Over 1,000 athletes ranging in ages from 15 to 18 will
compete at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games, which
will feature competitions in the same seven sports that
are currently on the Olympic Winter Games programme.
President Rogge will soon establish a Coordination
Commission to assist Lillehammer throughout its
preparation period.
“I would like to thank the IOC and its Executive Board
for the trust they have shown us and Lillehammer in
selecting us as the host of the 2nd Winter Youth Olympic
Games in 2016,” said Norwegian NOC President Børre
Rognlien. “It is with great pleasure and pride that the
Norwegian Olympic Committee can now invite a new
generation of athletes to Lillehammer. We will attempt
to build on the heritage of the Lillehammer 1994 Olympic
Winter Games, and also create a new legacy – a legacy of
young people, by young people, and for young people, as
well as for our country and the rest of the winter
sports world.”
Norwegian Minister of Culture Anniken Huitfeldt said: “I
am very pleased to recognise the IOC's announcement that
Norway and Lillehammer will host the 2nd Winter Youth
Olympic Games in 2016. The IOC’s decision will help
boost youth sport in Norway and internationally. Hosting
the 2016 Youth Games coincides nicely with existing
plans to further develop the Lillehammer region as a
winter sports destination, and a number of the arenas
used in the 1994 Olympic Games will be reused for the
Youth Olympic competitions.”
The Youth Olympic Games are the culmination of the IOC’s
determination to reach out to young people. Far more
than merely being about high-level competition, the
Games are also a platform on which young people can
learn about the Olympic values and the benefits of
sport, while sharing their experiences with people from
around the globe.
Innsbruck, Austria, will host the 1st Winter Youth
Olympic Games from 13 to 22 January 2012. Singapore
hosted the first Summer edition in 2010, while Nanjing,
China, will host the 2nd Summer edition in 2014.
For more information on the Youth Olympic Games, please
visit:
www.olympic.org/yog
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Innsbruck 2012
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