The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded Innsbruck the rights to host the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012.
The Austrian city beat Kuopio in Finland by 84 votes to 15 to acquire the rights.
IOC President, Jacques Rogge, told reporters: “We had two outstanding finalists which were both able to stage the Youth Olympic Games, according to the IOC’s requirements and Innsbruck has won”.
Following the first Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010, Innsbruck will be responsible for staging the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games, with approximately 1,000 athletes, aged 14 to 18. The competition schedule will be based on the seven sports included in the Vancouver 2010 programme (biathlon, bob-sleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating and skiing) with a limited number of disciplines and events.
