The car giant will provide a fleet of four wheel drive BMWs and MINIs for athletes, officials and the Organising Committee.

The agreement was announced by the BMW director of brand management, Uwe Ellinghaus, presenting the Innsbruck 2012 chief executive, Peter Bayer, with two BMW X3 cars bearing the logo of the Games.

"Right from the very beginning we have followed with great interest the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) plans to use the Olympic ideals to inspire young athletes," said Ellinghaus, whose company also have partnerships with the National Olympic Committees of the United States, France and China among others, and will be providing 4,000 low emission vehicles for London 2012, where they are a Tier One partner

"Sportsmanship and fair competition are part of our identity.

"Furthermore, the Youth Olympic Games are also about international understanding and inter-cultural exchange.

"BMW wants to play an active role in instilling these values in the minds and hearts of the next generation."

BMW will be providing 127 vehicles in total for the Games, which will see 1,059 athletes from more than 60 countries compete at what will be the inaugural Winter Youth Olympics, following on from the summer Games held in Singapore last year.

"It is a fantastic sign when such a successful, global company as the BMW Group offers its services to the Youth Olympic Games," said Bayer.

"We are proud to be able to guarantee the best possible transport, both before and during the event, thanks to a fleet provided by the leading manufacturer of premium automobiles – whether during the Youth Olympic torch relay, travel to and from the events, or for the medical services."

The double Olympic figure skating champion and BMW Group Olympic ambassador, Katarina Witt, said: "The Youth Olympic Games are a milestone in the young sporting careers of over 1,000 athletes.

"The atmosphere at the Olympic Games is unique.

"The opportunity to get a taste of all that at such a young age is bound to give the athletes a big boost in their sporting development."

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