INNSBRUCK, Jan 21 – The inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games is not only a stage for competition, but also a classroom for growing-up.

For the young athletes aiming to be future Olympians, a tricky issue is how to face the media.

The Media Lab, a workshop included in the Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games Culture and Education Programme (CEP), aims to teach athletes about all kinds of media and how to establish a sound image in front of the media.

The Media Lab is a hands-on, content-generating experience for the young athletes to get to know different aspects of media, from video to TV, from photography to social media.

Since the start of the Games, some 50 athletes have visited the TV workshop, which offers training sessions on how to be interviewed.

Margit BACHER and Florian RUDIG from Austria are the media trainers conducting the sessions.

With most young athletes feeling nervous in front of the camera and using a microphone, BACHER and RUDIG's goal is to make them feel more confident.

“Don’t be nervous, you are in the centre here because you are the people the media want to interview. No one else knows the situation better than you. Feel free,” RUDIG, a former TV reporter with national Austrian television (ORF), said to the athletes.

“Be honest,” Margit BACHER said. "Yes or no - that is not an answer which journalists want. They want to hear details and emotions from the athletes.”

BACHER also told the athletes they don’t have to be afraid of journalists. “Journalists aren't bad boys,” she said.

During the training all athletes were required to practise being interviewed by the media trainers, who then reviewed their interview by playing back the video and giving them suggestions.

RUDIG concluded the session by giving some tips. “In front of media, not arrogance, but self-confidence; repeat what you want the media to know, get prepared before the interview.”

“Show your body language, look friendly and always be positive,” BACHER added.

BACHER reminded athletes to be careful when facing the media. “You don’t have to answer all the questions from media, and also you don't have to reveal private details about your life that you don't want to be public.”

Katharina ALTHAUS (GER), who won Silver in Ladies' Ski Jumping in Innsbruck, was very impressed by the media training session she attended.

“I have never been in such a media training, so when facing the media, I sometimes feel nervous, ” she said.

IOC Young Reporters Ji Ye and Raitis Purins