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.
![First Winter Youth Olympic Games open in Innsbruck First Winter Youth Olympic Games open in Innsbruck - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/17075/29/170752996_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_5c38af11699e337a088b682076ff099e.jpg)
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.
![First Winter Youth Olympic Games open in Innsbruck First Winter Youth Olympic Games open in Innsbruck - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/17075/30/170753021_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_31037f0cf5531370066febe8e38acdf9.jpg)
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.
![First Winter Youth Olympic Games open in Innsbruck First Winter Youth Olympic Games open in Innsbruck - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/17075/30/170753036_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_131f5a61307f071f0a0e6a673cddf1ce.jpg)
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.
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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.
![First Winter Youth Olympic Games open in Innsbruck First Winter Youth Olympic Games open in Innsbruck - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/17075/30/170753066_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_b1ce2a0d4abe906eddce4a4b02fd5c20.jpg)
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.
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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.
![First Winter Youth Olympic Games open in Innsbruck First Winter Youth Olympic Games open in Innsbruck - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/17075/30/170753097_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_3baaf144a81899f9318e36f31ea7c44c.jpg)
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.
![First Winter Youth Olympic Games open in Innsbruck First Winter Youth Olympic Games open in Innsbruck - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/17075/31/170753114_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_641bb288d7ccd54b1dea62a547041538.jpg)
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."
![First Winter Youth Olympic Games open in Innsbruck First Winter Youth Olympic Games open in Innsbruck - Sputnik International](https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/17075/31/170753137_0:0:0:0_600x0_80_0_1_67471ef9154f5622b5cf1ea2903d4db3.jpg)
IOC chief Jacques Rogge also called on the young competitors to "strive for excellence, but compete in the spirit of friendship."