The International Olympic Committee (IOC) last week named Lillehammer, Norway, as the host city of the 2nd Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2016.
Lillehammer, which hosted the 1994 Olympic Winter Games, was elected by the IOC members via postal vote, the deadline for which was 5 December. As the only city in contention, Lillehammer needed and received a majority to obtain victory.
Over 1,000 athletes ranging in ages from 15 to 18 will compete at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games, which will feature competitions in the same seven sports that are currently on the Olympic Winter Games programme.
The Youth Olympic Games are the culmination of the IOCs determination to reach out to young people. Far more than merely being about high-level competition, the Games are also a platform on which young people can learn about the Olympic values and the benefits of sport, while sharing their experiences with people from around the globe.
Innsbruck, Austria, will host the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games from 13 to 22 January 2012. Singapore hosted the first Summer edition in 2010, while Nanjing, China, will host the 2nd Summer edition in 2014.