IOC: Innsbruck on track with preparations to host 2012 Winter Youth Olympics

IOC: 2012 Innsbruck Youth Games on track

VIENNA — Innsbruck’s preparations to host the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games are on track.

Gian-Franco Kasper, chairman of the International Olympic Committee’s coordination commission for the inaugural winter games for athletes ages 14-18, visited the city on Wednesday.

Kasper and other commission members praised an updated Youth Olympic Village concept, saying it would foster a sociable and highly interactive atmosphere where athletes would be able to live and learn together.

The Youth Games, a 10-day event, will feature about 1,000 athletes competing in seven sports — skiing, ice hockey, biathlon, bobsled, curling, luge and figure skating.