In a unanimous vote, Lausanne was confirmed Thursday by the Swiss “Parliament of Sport” the Swiss national Olympic committee’s Congress made up of Switzerland’s 80 sport federations, as the country’s official candidate for the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games.
The vote took place after a final presentation made by the Lausanne 2020 team in front of the 100 delegates of the Parliament.
Daniel Brelaz, Mayor of Lausanne said, “we are very grateful. This is yet another sign of confidence and a sort of recognition for everything this city has done in favour of international sport over the last decades. We look forward to collaborating with Swiss Olympic in the development of a very strong proposal to the IOC”.
Lausanne successfully hosted the World Gymnaestrada in 2011.
Marc Vuilleumier, Municipal Councillor in charge of sports for the city of Lausanne added, “not only did the event affirm that we could host a major international event with 20,000 participants without major issues, but also we received positive feedback from our local population. After this, we knew we could do more, and we knew we could do even better. Now we need to convince the IOC that the Games here in the Olympic Capital can be as great for them as they can be for us”.
Pascal Broulis, State Councillor in charge of finance and external relations, said, “this event, what it is made of and what it can represent, is a fantastic opportunity for a city and a state like ours. It can be hosted within mostly existing infrastructure, within a reasonable budget and make best use of the very strong academic partners we have here. Also, its impact can be very important for the image of the State, of Switzerland and for Olympism in our country. It is a great chance that has been given to us, and we look forward to continue the fruitful dialogue already started with Swiss Olympic and the IOC, building the best possible proposal to win in 2015”.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will decide on the host of the 2020 Youth Games in May or June of 2015.
