. world ski news : First Winter Youth Olympic Games kick off in Innsbruck - 14 January 2012 - 09:35
WYOG. The Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games officially got under way today with an Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel stadium, the iconic Olympic venue in the heart of Austria’s Tyrolean capital, Innsbruck.
The Olympic flames are lit that represent the games from 1964, 1976 and 2012 during the Winter Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel Stadium on January 13, 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria. (January 12, 2012 - Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
With the snow-capped mountains providing a breathtaking backdrop, over 1,000 athletes aged 15 to 18 marched in the athletes’ parade, which was followed by speeches by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge, and the Chairman of the Innsbruck 2012 Organising Committee, Richard Rubatscher.
A general view of the show during the Winter Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel Stadium on January 13, 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria.
(January 12, 2012 - Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)
Reflecting the Olympic heritage of Innsbruck, which staged the 1964 and 1976 Olympic Winter Games, the newly created Youth Olympic cauldron and the two existing cauldrons from the previous Games were set ablaze. The Ceremony fused Tyrolean tradition and modern youth culture, with entertainment including freestyle skiers and snowboarders jumping overhead and a paring of ancient Tyrolean dances with a hip hop crew. The stage and costumes were designed by young students from local colleges.
The three Olympic flames are lit (L-R) 2012, 1976 and 1964 during the Winter Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel Stadium on January 13, 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria. (January 12, 2012 - Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)
Addressing the crowd in the stadium, President Rogge said: “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.”
IOC President Jacques Rogge makes a speech during the Winter Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel Stadium on January 13, 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria. (January 12, 2012 - Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)
“You have come here from 70 countries not just to compete against each other, but also to learn from each other. Some of the friendships formed over the next nine days will last a lifetime, and so will the memories”, he added, reminding the audience that the Winter Youth Olympic Games, which will run from 13 to 22 January and feature a unique Culture and Education Programme, have been created and designed just for young athletes.
Those attending the Opening Ceremony included Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Coordination Commission Chairman for the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gian-Franco Kasper, and Olympic champion and Youth Olympic Games Ambassador Yuna Kim.
In the next few days, Innsbruck 2012 will feature some of the world’s most talented young athletes taking part in the seven sports currently on the winter Olympic programme, including three new events: women’s ski jumping, ski halfpipe and snowboard slopestyle.
After their success at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, mixed-gender and mixed-country events will also form part of the programme, with a mixed Alpine skiing parallel team event and mixed-country short track skating team relay. In addition, mixed-sport events, such as cross-country biathlon, will be introduced for the first time.
These mixed events aim to strengthen bonds between the athletes and foster better understanding of each other’s cultures and backgrounds, a fundamental vision of the Youth Olympic Games.
With sport as a foundation, the Youth Olympic Games will give the young athletes their first taste of the Olympic experience and provide valuable lessons which they can leverage in their future careers, be it in sport or in other vocations.
Story IOC
Saturday 14 January 2012
Photo © Getty Images Europe, BOC
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СВЕТЪТ Е ОЛИМПИАДА!
WYOG. За първи път в историята, от 13-ти до 22-ри янаури 2012 г., ще се проведат първите Младежките зимни Олимпийски игри в Инсбрук, Австрия. Вчера вечерта на олимпийския стадион Бергизел в Инсбрук, известен със състезанията от турнира Четирите шанци и с фрийстайл сноуборд турнира AIR&STYLE, Олимпиадата за младежи беше открита със стилно "скромно" тържество!
Досега столицата на австрийската провинция Тирол - Инсбрук, два пъти е била домакин на Зимни Олимпийски игри - през 1964г и през 1976г. На първите Младежките зимни Олимпийски игри България ще бъде представена подобаващо от 11 атлети в 6 вида спорт - алпийски ски дисицплини, ски бягане, ски скок, сноуборд, шейни и биатлон. Следете новините на SKI.BG!
Легендарни скиори запалиха олимпийския огън на игрите в Инсбрук
Двама олимпийски шампиони – Егон Цимерман и Франц Кламер участваха в запалването на олимпийския огън по време на откриването на първите Младежки зимни Олимпийски игри в Инсбрук. Двамата печелят титлите си в класиката на алпийците – спускането. Първият триумфира през 1964-та, а легендата Кламер, който беше възторжено посрещнат от многочислената публика на стадиона Бергизел в Инсбрук, е победителят на игрите през 1976-та.
Всеки от тях запали отново жертвеника, горял на известната ски шанца при предишните две домакинства. Надеждата в северната комбинация Паул Гердщрасер последен пое факела, за да запали третия жертвеник.
Президентът на Австрия Хайнц Фишер обяви игрите за открити, а чаровната ни алпийка Александра Попова развя българския флаг на сцената – толкова високо, че целият свят дълго да го гледа.
Десет български състезатели дефилираха на сцената преди официалната церемония. Само скачачът Деян Фунтаров, който стартира първи в 10:00 ч в събота, остана в Олимпийското село. Игрите започнаха със семпла церемония, за която домакините предупредиха, че не е направена с много пари, но с младежки ентусиазъм и с вплетени традиционни тиролски мотиви, виенски валс и хипхоп.
Шефът на МОК Жак Рог благодари на Инсбрук и на доброволците, като подчерта, че с гордост носи тяхната униформа. На състезателите пожела не само спортни успехи, но и да си тръгнат с нови знания и много приятелства.
текст БОК
2012-01-14 09:34:35
фотография © БОК и Getty Images Europe
Dancers perform during the Winter Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel Stadium on January 13, 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria.
(January 12, 2012 - Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
The German team enter the stadium during the Winter Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel Stadium on January 13, 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria. (January 12, 2012 - Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)
Katharina Althaus of Germany carries the flag during the Winter Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel Stadium on January 13, 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria. (January 12, 2012 - Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)
The Olympic Flag enters the stadium during the Winter Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel Stadium on January 13, 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria. (January 12, 2012 - Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)
Austrian Alpine Skier Christina Ager takes the Olympic Oath of Athletes during the Winter Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel Stadium on January 13, 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria. (January 12, 2012 - Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)
A general view at the start of the Winter Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel Stadium on January 13, 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria.
(January 12, 2012 - Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
The Olympic torch enters the stadium during the Winter Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel Stadium on January 13, 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria. (January 12, 2012 - Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
The Olympic Tourch enters the stadium during the Winter Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel Stadium on January 13, 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria. (January 12, 2012 - Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)
A general view of the show during the Winter Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel Stadium on January 13, 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria.
(January 12, 2012 - Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)
Traditional Austrian dancing during the Winter Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at the Bergisel Stadium on January 13, 2012 in Innsbruck, Austria.
(January 12, 2012 - Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
