By Tom Degun

innsbruck_2012_winter_youth_olympics_clock_14-07-11July 14 - The Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games Organisers have today unveiled the Omega Countdown Clock that will tick away the days, hours, minutes and seconds to the beginning of the Opening Ceremony of the inaugural event on January 13 next year.


The clock is located in the heart of Innsbruck at the intersection of Maria Theresien Strasse and Burggraben, one of the busiest places in the city located near its many tourist attractions.

The unveiling event took place with just under six months to go to the Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympics, with chief executive Peter Bayer, Omega timing general manager Christophe Berthaud and the Mayor of Innsbruck Christine Oppitz-Plörer all in attendance.

"Standing four meters high and over two meters wide, the spectacular Countdown Clock in the heart of Innsbruck is a fantastic way of showing that the first Winter Youth Olympic Games are getting ever closer," said Bayer.

"The clock also underlines the important role timekeeping will play during the Games and makes every single moment even more tangible for athletes, officials and fans alike.

"We are proud to have Omega as a strong, reliable and professional partner.

"Together we will write sporting history."

Innsbruck_2012_mascot_at_opening_of_Countdown_Clock_July_14_2011
Omega first served as Official Olympic timekeeper in Los Angeles in 1932, with the London 2012 Olympics next year set to see the iconic brand assume its timekeeping duties for the 25th time.

Omega were also the Official Olympic tmekeeper for the last two times the Winter Olympics were staged in Innsbruck in 1964 and 1976.

Stephen Urquhart, the President of Omega, said: "Both editions of the Winter Games staged in Innsbruck were memorable for some new timekeeping equipment and outstanding performances.

"We were warmly received by our Austrian hosts and are looking forward to returning for the very first Winter Youth Olympic Games."

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