POSTED: January 13th 2012
NewsUpdate
Innsbruck 2012 opening ceremony launches inaugural winter YOG
Sports Features Communications
TAMPA: Olympic venue Bergisel stadium was the stage today for the opening of the inaugural winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) at Innsbruck, Austria.
Innsbruck was the home to the winter Olympics in both 1964 and 1976.
Over 1,000 athletes between the ages of 15 to 18 took part in the athletes’ parade, which was followed by speeches by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Dr. Jacques Rogge, and the Chairman of the Innsbruck 2012 Organising Committee, Richard Rubatscher.
They were joined by Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Coordination Commission Chairman for the Winter YOG Gian-Franco Kasper, and superstar Olympic figure skater and YOG Ambassador Yuna Kim.
Rogge, said in his opening address, “For the first time, young people from around the world have come together for the Winter Youth Olympic Games, a global celebration of sport and Olympic values.
“It is altogether fitting that this new Olympic tradition will begin in Innsbruck.
“These Games will enhance a great legacy that includes Innsbruck’s role as host of the 1964 and 1976 Olympic Winter Games.
“Tonight, I can say with great pleasure….Innsbruck, you have done it again!
“To the athletes, I say…These Games exist for you.
“You have come here from 70 countries not just to compete against each other, but also to learn from each other."
Recalling the legacy of Games’ past, the new YOG cauldron as well as the two former existing cauldrons were all lit to mark the YOG.
The cultural side of the ceremony featured ancient Tyrolean dances with a hip hop crew and included freestyle skiers and snowboarders jumping overhead.
Interesting to note also is that the stage and the costumes were designed by young students from local colleges.
Keywords · Innsbruck 2012 · YOG · Jacques Rogge · Heinz Fischer · Yuna Kim · Richard Rubatscher
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