The Austrian city, in the state of Tyrol, has also launched the YOG 2012 schools programme, which is part of the Culture and Education Programme for young people that proved highly successful at the inaugural Summer Youth Olympics in Singapore earlier this year.

The programme was introduced to the pupils and teachers of the Reithmanngymnasium high school in Innsbruck earlier this week.

Innsbruck 2012 chief executive Peter Bayer, who attended the launch, said: "The Tyrolean youth are going to play an important part in the Games.

"They will bring to life our vision to transform this unique youth festival into an extraordinary experience for everyone."

Some of those pupils at the Reithmanngymnasium high school participated in "Run2Rings" - the official YOG 2012 promotion video clip - and Tyrolean Vice-Governor Hannes Gschwentner thanked them for helping to promote the Games.

He said: "Because of your commitment the video clip has turned out to be a pure visual delight and is enthusiastically received by viewers."

Christoph Kaufmann, the Deputy Mayor of Innsbruck, added: "The YOG 2012 school sports projects offer young people a unique opportunity."

Meanwhile, Innsbruck is looking for volunteers for the event who "want to work at the first Winter Youth Olympic Games, are at least 18 years old on January 1, 2012, speak German fluently, are vacant from January 10-24, 2012, are flexible and like to work in a team".

The Innsbruck 2012 team are looking to recruit 1,200 volunteers for the event - which takes place from January 13-22 – and sees the city host an Winter Olympics for a third time, following 1964 and 1976.

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