The inaugural Winter Youth Olympics will take place from January 13 until 22 with the Youth Olympic Torch Relay set to see 2,012 Torchbearers cover a total of 3,573 kilometres in 18 days.

The Torch Relay is planned to be a huge national event taking place in regional capitals, villages, municipalities and famous sports resorts in all nine of Austria's Federal Provinces.

"We are delighted and very proud to have Coca-Cola and Samsung as our official Torch Relay Presenting Partners," said Innsbruck 2012 chief executive Peter Bayer.

"As highly respected global brands, their support will not only raise the profile of the first Winter Youth Olympic Games, it will also help inspire the whole nation to get involved in the spirit of the Games."

Both Coca-Cola and Samsung are both Worldwide Olympic Partners and are also sponsors of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, along with Lloyds TSB.

Coca-Cola's partnership with the Olympic Torch Relay began in Barcelona in 1992 while Samsung started involvement at the Games in Seoul in 1988.

"Coca-Cola is proud to be a Presenting Partner of the Innsbruck 2012 Youth Olympic Torch Relay and is looking forward to carrying the magic of the Youth Olympic Games beyond the borders of the city of Innsbruck in order to inspire people across Austria to participate in the biggest celebration in the world of sport," said James Quincey, the Northwest Europe and Nordics President at The Coca-Cola Company

"Coca-Cola will draw on its unrivalled heritage of involving people in the excitement of the Olympic Torch Relay to bring the Youth Olympic Games to people throughout Austria."


Gyehyun Kwon, the vice president and Head of Worldwide Sports Marketing at Samsung, added: "As a Presenting Partner, Samsung strives to connect with the young people and to enable them to experience the Olympic Spirit by being part of an enthusiastic community.

"The Winter Youth Olympic Games merge the excitement of winter sports and unexpected fun, two elements Samsung highly identifies with.

"Samsung is committed to helping create a better world for future generations.

"As the first Winter Youth Olympic Games come to Innsbruck, Samsung, an IT global leader, will continue to make efforts to achieve this goal."

The motto of the Youth Olympic Torch Relay is 'Be part of it!' which aims to encourage everyone to get involved and be part of the inaugural Winter Youth Olympics by cheering on the Olympic Torch Relay as it travels through the streets of Austria.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]