The 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games will bring the Olympic flame to the Tyrolean regional capital, Innsbruck, for the third time. From 13 to 22 January, 1,058 athletes aged 14 to 18 will compete in 15 different Olympic winter sport disciplines. At the same time, they will have the chance to take part in a unique Culture & Education Programme (CEP). We are eager to get young people from the local region involved in the CEP in order to support them in their personal development and give them the opportunity to become part of the Olympic Family.

Therefore, in co-operation with the Tyrolean Education Authority, the Provincial Government of Tyrol, Innsbruck City Council and local winter sports associations, the Innsbruck 2012 Organising Committee has developed the YOG School Sports Challenge, a programme created especially for Tyrolean schools.

The YOG School Sports Challenge will offer participating schools the unique opportunity to learn one of the 15 Olympic winter sport disciplines which will feature at the Winter Youth Olympic Games, supported by experts from the corresponding local winter sports association. After thorough preparation and practice, participating students will compete in their very own school sport events during the Youth Olympic Games 2012.

The YOG World Mile will give young people the chance to get in touch with partner schools from all over the world. Schoolchildren participating in the YOG World Mile Programme will find out all about about foreign countries and cultures in different classes taught as part of their curriculum. During the YOG in January 2012, these youngsters will then give creative presentations on the nations they have learnt all about at school.

With your help we want to make the first Winter Youth Olympic Games a unique experience for everyone!

We can't wait for schools from across Tyrol to get involved!