The first-ever Winter Youth Olympic Games opened on January 13 in Innsbruck, Austria.
© RIA Novosti . Mikhail Mokrushin / Go to the mediabankThe first-ever Winter Youth Olympic Games opened on January 13 in Innsbruck, Austria.
The first-ever Winter Youth Olympic Games opened on January 13 in Innsbruck, Austria.
© RIA Novosti . Konstantin Chalabov / Go to the mediabankThe games brought together a thousand 14- to 18-year-old athletes from over 60 nations to the winter sports capital.
The games brought together a thousand 14- to 18-year-old athletes from over 60 nations to the winter sports capital.
© RIA Novosti . Konstantin Chalabov / Go to the mediabankThe competition, which runs through January 22, follows the inaugural Summer Youth Games in Singapore in 2010.
The competition, which runs through January 22, follows the inaugural Summer Youth Games in Singapore in 2010.
© RIA Novosti . Alexander Vilf / Go to the mediabankMedals are up for grabs in seven sports: biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, figure skating and alpine skiing.
Medals are up for grabs in seven sports: biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, figure skating and alpine skiing.
© RIA Novosti . Konstantin Chalabov / Go to the mediabankThis is the third time the Olympics have come to the center of the Tyrol region.
This is the third time the Olympics have come to the center of the Tyrol region.
© RIA Novosti . Mikhail Mokrushin / Go to the mediabankInnsbruck was host city for the Winter Games in 1964 and 1976.
Innsbruck was host city for the Winter Games in 1964 and 1976.
© RIA Novosti . Mikhail Mokrushin / Go to the mediabankThe concept of a Youth Olympics, the successor to the discontinued World Youth Games, was first announced by International Olympic Committee head Jacques Rogge in 2007.
The concept of a Youth Olympics, the successor to the discontinued World Youth Games, was first announced by International Olympic Committee head Jacques Rogge in 2007.
© RIA Novosti . Alexander Vilf / Go to the mediabankIOC chief Jacques Rogge officially declared the games open after a fireworks and music extravaganza at the competition's ski jump facility.
IOC chief Jacques Rogge officially declared the games open after a fireworks and music extravaganza at the competition's ski jump facility.
© RIA Novosti . Alexander Vilf / Go to the mediabankIOC chief Jacques Rogge also called on the young competitors to "strive for excellence, but compete in the spirit of friendship."
IOC chief Jacques Rogge also called on the young competitors to "strive for excellence, but compete in the spirit of friendship."