By David Gold

129099295 3be1882a53_zNovember 20 - The Austrian Armed Forces have got involved with less than 60 days to go until the start of the 2012 Youth Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck to help fit out 375 flats in the Olympic Village.


Staff and recruits in the 6th Jaegar Battalion are helping to equip the Village according to the criteria set by the International Olympic Committee.

The group, of 60 people, began their work last month, and will continue until December.

"The Austrian Armed Forces strongly support the idea of inspiring young people around the world to get active and live the Olympic Values," said General Major Herbert Bauer.

Peter Mennel, the secretary general of the Austrian Olympic Committee, was delighted with the progress of preparations for the Village.

"It's really impressive to see how this event continues to grow and take shape," he said.

"The soldiers of the 6th Jaeger Battalion, led by the Tyrolean Military Commando, are doing fantastic work here in the Youth Olympic Village.

"The furniture itself has not only been produced using sustainable materials, but is very well-made and will be used for many years to come."

Innsbruck 2012 chief executive Peter Bayer added: "From the procurement of the wood itself to the social concept of the carpentry workshop, the transport and even the sustainable use of the furniture after the Games - all value created through this project will benefit the Tyrol region."

More than a 1,000 athletes from 70 countries are expected to compete in the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games, which are due to begin on January 13, 2012, and run until January 22.

"Today is another milestone on the path to the opening of the Youth Olympic Village," said Klaus Lugger, chief executive of Neue Heimat Tirol, the construction company responsible for building the Village.

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