The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved Thursday the qualification system for each event at the Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games which guarantees participation of the best athletes in their age category.
More than 1,000 athletes will compete in seven sports, comprising 63 events. The number of sports on the program is identical to the Vancouver 2010 program. Each event has its own age group competing – 15-16, 16-17 or 17-18. The bobsleigh age group will be 18-19 years and male participants in the pairs and ice dancing skating events will be 15-18 years to comply with the specificities of the sport.
There will be some different events from those at the Olympic Games according to the IOC. A hockey skills challenge and women’s ski jumping will be included. Mixed-gender and mixed-NOC team events will take place in biathlon, curling (artificial track) skating (figure skating, short track speed skating and speed skating with mass start) and skiing (Alpine skiing and ski jumping). The combination of cross country skiing and biathlon will be organized as a mixed-gender team event.
The Youth Olympic Games will also feature an extensive Culture and Education Programme to introduce young athletes to Olympism and the Olympic values, and to raise awareness on important issues such as the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, the fight against doping, and their role as sports ambassadors in their communities.
