Responding to the International Olympic Committee ‘s (IOC) selection of Innsbruck for Candidate City status in its bid for the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games, Leo Wallner, IOC member and president of the National Olympic Committee of Austria said, “this is a great day for all of Austria, particularly for our millions of winter sports fans and for our next generations of young Olympians.
“I am grateful to the IO for the selection of Innsbruck as a finalist. We are honoured to be competing against Harbin, Kuopio, and Lillehammer. I believe the decision for Innsbruck is a reflection of two things; first, the quality of the Olympic-class sports venue infrastructure that exists in Innsbruck and is ready to host the Games; and second, the innovative quality of the culture and education program we described in our bid”, he said.
In a press release Innsbruck said it only needs to add a temporary curling sheet which would be installed inside the Innsbruck Exhibition Centre. The full transportation infrastructure is also in place.
Martin Schnitzer, CEO of Innsbruck 2012 said, “our venues are world-class in every respect. Over the last eight years Innsbruck and the State of Tyrol have invested more than 150 million euros to upgrade and expand venues and winter transport systems that would be deployed”.
Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer, said after the decision, “I am delighted to hear that we are moving forward in this important bid race. As I have said before, Austria would be deeply honoured to partner with the International Olympic Committee in staging the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck in 2012”.