Innsbruck in Austria and Kuopio in Finland have been shortlisted to compete for host city rights for the 2012 Youth Olympic Winter Games.
The decision, which was made by the International Olympic Committee Youth Olympic Games Evaluation Commission, was based on the evaluation report that closely examined the risks associated with organising these first Winter Games in a short timeframe - only three years ahead of the event. Last year Singapore was selected to host the first summer edition of the Games.
Unsuccessful cities were Harbin, China and Lillehammer, Norway, with the IOC expressing concern about financial risks and lack of national government guarantees from Lillehammer that might not be overcome; and "a number of risks" that are associated with Harbin's proposal due to lack of information provided by the bid committee.
IOC members - except those from Austria and Finland - will now make their selection by postal vote with the final decision of the winner being announced by IOC president Jacques Rogge on December 12. The bid process began in March.
