2012 Winter Youth Olympics bids

Olympic bid|2012|Youth

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venue = NA (by postal vote)
1stBid = to be determined| June 19, 2008 shortlist = to be determined| August 2008 decision = December 2008

The 2012 Winter Youth Olympics (YOG)cite news |url=http://69.93.14.237/sports/youth_olympics_07.cfm |title=IOC "Welcomes" Idea of Youth Olympic Games to Start in 2010 with "Relevant" Sports |author=Matroka, Bernadette |accessdate=2007-05-20] is a planned international youth multi-sport event featuring winter events which complements the current Olympic Games.cite news |url=http://www.fasterskier.com/racing4278.html |title=FIS in favor of Youth Olympic Games |date=2007-05-08 |publisher=FIS |accessdate=2007-05-20] It will feature athletes between the ages of 14 and 18.cite news |title=No kidding: Teens to get Youth Olympic Games |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2007-04-25-2774646336_x.htm |publisher=USA Today |accessdate=2007-05-19] The host city will be chosen in December 2008.

Games expectations

The winter version will last a maximum of nine days, with the first edition taking place in early spring of 2012.cite web |url=http://video.olympic.org/http/yog_uk.pdf |title=Youth Olympic Games |date=2007 |accessdate=2007-07-06 |publisher=International Olympic Committee] cite news |url=http://english.cri.cn/2886/2007/04/25/[e-mail] |title=IOC to Introduce Youth Olympic Games in 2010 |date=2007-04-25 |accessdate=2007-05-20] The IOC expects around 970 athletes and 580 officials at the winter games. Estimated cost for the game are currently $15 million-$20 million. [ [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/summer/2007-07-05-olympic-notes_N.htm IOC votes to start Youth Olympics in 2010] ] The IOC states the program will include the seven sports found in the program of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. Similar to the Summer edition, a limited number of disciplines will be offered, and sports of particular interest to the youth will be included.

Bid process

The schedule was announced in January, 2008.
*March 6, 2008--National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are to inform the IOC of the names of their candidate cities.
*June 19, 2008--Cities submit Candidature files.
*August 2008--IOC announces shortlist of Candidate Cities.
*October 2008--The Evaluation Commission submits its report to the IOC Executive Board.
*November 2008--The IOC Executive Board will submit its recommendations to the IOC members for a postal vote.
*December 6,2008--The host city is announced. [http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1201116439 IOC Announces 2012 Winter Youth Olympics Bid Process] ]

Candidate cities

* Harbin, ChinaHarbin last bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics, but failed to make the shortlist. Harbin is known as China's "Ice City" for its long winters and associated festivals. [http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1204901460 Four Cities Apply To Host The 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games] ] The annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival has been held since 1985. Harbin hosted the third 1996 Winter Asian Games and will be hosting the 2009 Winter Universiade. The Alpine skiing events will take place in the Yabuli Ski Resort; Harbin plans to spend US$ 1.5 billion in construction and renovation of its sport infrastructure for this Universiade and other possible Olympic bids.
* Innsbruck, Austria [ [http://www.general-solutions.at/landeszeitung/site-files/607/php/detail.php?artnr=6710&ukatnr=10326&ukatname=sport&PHPSESSID=9976511b25402c599813bc626022c74c Article on the site of the Tyrolean regional government. "(German)" ] ]

Innsbruck hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. AOC head Dr. Leo Wallner says the city is "predestined" to be the first host because of their experience, sport sites, and the spectacular Alps. [ [http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1204043234 Innsbruck Considers 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games Bid] ] Recent experience includes the Air & Style Snowboard Contest from 1994 to 1999 and 2008, the 2005 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships, and the 2005 Winter Universiade (with Seefeld). Innsbruck's Bergisel is expected to once again be the centerpiece of the bid.

Martin Schnitzer, CEO of Innsbruck 2012, outlined Innsbruck’s plan on June 19, 2008. All the venues are concentrated in two zones in Innsbruck and Seefeld, with only two temporary structures to be built. The Culture and Education Programme has the potential to generate a "digital media phenomenon" and will be based in Innsbruck Congress Centre. Innsbruck has committed to building a new Olympic Village that will be within 15 minutes of the venues and later become much needed social housing. In addition, the Innsbruck Tyrol region has invested US$225 million in venue and infrastructure in recent years. [ [http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1213889917 Innsbruck Unveils “Innovative” Plan For 2012 Youth Games] ]
* Kuopio, Finland

Kuopio is a first time bidder. On the shores of Lake Kallavesi, it is the cultural centre of Eastern Finland and has a winter sports infrastructure in place. Puijo hill serves as a site for the yearly FIS Ski Jumping World Cup.

* Lillehammer, NorwayHost of the 1994 Winter Olympics. If Lillehammer wins, it will mark the third time Norway will have hosted. (Oslo hosted the 1952 Winter Olympics.) Norway's staging of the Games in 1994 is considered a modern highpoint, described as "fairy tale games...Reality cannot be this good." ["Sports Illustrated", March 7, 1994] Lillehammer has hosted over 100 competitions since those Games.

Because it has a strong sports infrastructure, only the curling venue will need to be constructed. The budget is set at US$49 million, with the Norwegian federal government contributing $19 million and the balance from the IOC and sponsors. Lillehammer's plans include a digital information platform for the educational component, a compact setting, and producing little environmental impact. The Games would be set between February 24 and March 4, 2012. [ [http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1213906312 Lillehammer Submits 2012 Youth Olympics Plan To IOC] ]

Indicated interest

* Lake Placid, New York, United States considered a bid. Host of the 1932 Winter Olympics and the 1980 Winter Olympics. [ [http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1190736441 U.S. May Consider 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Bid] ] The USOC likely decided not to bid so as not to interfere with the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid.
* Portland, Maine, United States conducted a study for a bid. Likely sites were to include Newry and Rumford, Maine. The USOC did not support the bid.
* Sofia, Bulgaria The Bulgarian Olympic Committee considered Sofia, [ [http://bgolympic.org/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&p=0010&n=001118&g= Article on the Bulgarian Olympic Committee's official website "(Bulgarian)"] ] but ultimately decided against the bid. Sofia has applied to host the Winter Olympics in 1992, 1994, and 2014, but has not yet been successful.
*flagicon|Italy Turin, Italy was the host of the 2006 Winter Olympics. It was unsuccessful in its bid for the inaugural 2010 Youth Summer Olympics; pundits speculated it would bid for the Winter edition. [ [http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1195331774 IOC To Select 2010 YOG Shortlist Monday - GamesBids.com Makes Predictions] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.innsbruck2012.com/ Innsbruck 2012 Official web site]