The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Innsbruck 2012 Youth Olympic Games ended its second visit to Innsbruck Wednesday.
The commission members, led by its Chairman Gian-Franco Kasper, were given updates from the Innsbruck 2012 organizing committee (IYOGOC) on the status of preparations for the 2012 Youth Games and met with local partners and government officials.
During a two-day session the IYOGOC presented the outcome of its strategic planning phase, including an initial Culture and Education Programme concept and an updated Youth Olympic Village project. Organizers will now focus on the operational delivery of the 2012 Games.
The commission looked at Innsbruck’s competition venue master plan, including the slope style and ski cross venues in Kuhtai, and said they were happy that some of the already existing and “high quality” venues are being further developed and will leave a lasting legacy in the Tyrol region.
One of the venues, Seefeld, is constructing a new ski jump platform and biathlon facilities which will strengthen its position as a Nordic sports centre, said a press release.
The commission also visited the Alpine skiing area of Patscherkofel where they saw the recent groundwork that has been carried out.
Commission chairman Kasper said following the visit, “we have had very productive meetings with our partners at Innsbruck 2012. Much progress has been made since our first visit to the host city last October, and the team at IYOGOC has grown significantly to cope with the increasing workload and detailed planning. The commission was particularly impressed by the dynamic and innovative qualities of the young team in place and is confident that Innsbruck will host great Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012”.
The Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games are being held January 13 to 22, 2012, bringing together 1,048 athletes between the ages of 14 and 18 from about 80 National Olympic Committees, competing in the seven sports on the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games program.
