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Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympics
Host city
Innsbruck
Opening ceremony
13 January 2012
Closing ceremony
22 January 2012
Local time
10:00 (UTC+0200)Currency
Euro (€) (EUR)
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Fact of the day
Frank Kugler won four Olympics medals in freestyle wrestling, weightlifting and tug of war at St Louis in 1904, making him the only competitor to win a medal in three different sports at the same Games. He claimed a silver medal in the heavyweight category in wrestling, bronze in the two hand lift and all-around dumbbell events in weightlifting and another bronze in the tug of war competition as a member of Southwest Turnverein of Saint Louis No. 2 team. He is recognised as an American by the International Olympic Committee although he was a German national at the time of the Games.
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The World Class Swimming Programme, one of the five aquatic disciplines, within British Swimming is seeking a successful leader to strategically manage the Sports Science and Sports Medicine (SSSM) programme.
History made in Athens as Innsbruck 2012 flame is lit
Saturday, 17 December 2011
December 17 - History was made today in Athens, where the flame for the first Winter Youth Olympic Games, taking place in Innsbruck next month, was lit – the first time that the flame has been lit for three Olympic events in the same city. Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, in 1964 and 1976, and next month hosts the first ever Winter Youth Olympics from January 13 until 22.
In keeping with tradition, the flame was lit by sun rays reflected in a parabolic mirror and passed to the first runner from the ancient Panathinaiko Stadium.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge was at the lighting ceremony along with Norbert Darabos, the Austrian Sports Minister, and Austrian Olympic Committee President Karl Stoss.
Peter Bayer, the Innsbruck 2012 chief executive, and the Games' chairman Richard Rubatscherwere also in attendance.
Rogge said: "The flame and relay symbolise the values and ideals that lie at the heart of the Olympic Movement.
"They embody excellence, friendship and respect and they are the spark that will ignite the passion and magic of the first Winter Youth Olympic Games.
"At its essence, the Youth Olympic Torch Relay will inspire new hopes and new dreams, particularly among young people, and encourage the world to experience the Youth Olympic Games along with the athletes."
The flame will continue its journey from Greece, reaching Austria on December 27, and in total it will be carried by 2012 torchbearers on its journey until the opening ceremony at the Bergisel Stadium.
To watch a video of the Torch being lit click here.
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