Berchtesgaden (pps) Josef Fendt, president of the International Luge Federation (FIL), appreciated the election of Innsbruck as the host of the first Winter Youth Olympic Games 2012 made by the International Olympia Committee (IOC). “I’m very satisfied”, Fendt said at Berchtesgaden. “This decision assures a perfect organization. Our favorite was Innsbruck, because they already had an artificial track.” Kuopio just offered a natural track, 80 kilometers outside.
But Fendt wants to include the sport on natural track in the program of the Youth games. “Working together with Austria’s federation, my first step will be to speak to the IOC and try to realize the admission of natural track to the program of the Youth games”, Fendt said. There are two natural tracks (Umhausen and Oberperfuss) close to the capital of Tyrol. The competition schedule of the Winter Youth Olympic Games will be based on the seven sports included in the Vancouver 2010 programme (biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating and skiing) with a limited number of disciplines and events.
On Friday, IOC-President Jacques Rogge in Lausanne (Switzerland) announced Innsbruck as the host of the first Winter Youth Olympic Games 2012. This decision was made by the Executive board of the IOC. Innsbruck was already host of the Olympic Winter games 1964 and 1976.
