Around Innsbruck 2012 - Curtain Closes on Winter YOG

(ATR) Innsbruck 2012 passes on the Olympic Flame at a modest yet spirited closing ceremony to the first-ever Winter Youth Olympic Games.

All athletes – more than one thousand in total – who competed in the 10-day event were present Sunday evening at Innsbruck’s downtown medals plaza. The mood was festive as the night began with the Athletes parade – the teen-age Olympians gathering in front of the large stage on Maria Theresien Strasse.

Following a rendition of the national anthem of Austria as well as a parade of national flags, IOC president Jacques Rogge addressed the young Olympians.

"You are role models for your generation," he said. "You have started something special in Innsbruck. And no matter what happens in your sports career from this point, all of you are equipped to become future leaders."

Canada’s Audrey McManiman, who won gold in snowboard slopestyle, carried her country’s flag during the proceedings.

"It’s amazing tonight – I’m very proud to be here for Canada," said McManiman during a brief pause while toting the flag.

"This experience has been cool with so many countries coming here," added the resident of Quebec about the 10 days in Austria, which were shared among athletes from 70 countries.

"It was a great ceremony and we all had fun – it was cool," said Italian luger Daniel Gatterer.

"I take a lot away from this experience because it was very exciting and great for all the people here," he said about the YOG.

"And we learned a lot from the Culture and Education program," added Gatterer about the innovative workshops and classes held throughout the Games to teach the teen athletes about Olympic values.

As the Olympic Flame continued to burn in its waning minutes during what was a cold but dry evening in the Tyrolean capital, Rogge summed up the inaugural winter event.

"By all measures, the first Winter Youth Olympic Games exceeded expectations and established a solid foundation for future Youth Games," said Rogge.

"They were superbly refreshing Games," he added, perhaps hinting that the more traditional Olympics might be able to learn something from what transpired these past 10 days in Innsbruck.

Accompanied by a young representative from the host city, Innsbruck mayor Christine Oppitz-Plorer passed the flag to the IOC president, who then handed off to the mayor of Lillehammer, Espen Johnson, and young athlete Mathea Tofte, 14, both representing the future 2016 host city.

Tofte’s mother, Britt, won gold for Norway in cross-country skiing at the 1984 Sarajevo Games.

The Norwegian national anthem was played, and the country’s flag ascended as Austria’s was lowered.

A thrilling and fast-paced musical video tribute to Lillehammer ensued, stirring early excitement and anticipation for the second Winter YOG to follow in the 1994 Olympic city.

Sunday’s ceremony came to a close around 8 p.m. as the Olympic Flame was extinguished in the Austria winter sports haven for the third time over a span of 46 years, leaving Innsbruck alone as the world’s first three-time Olympic host – a distinction the city will enjoy for all of six months until London joins the exclusive club.

Written and reported in Innsbruck by Brian Pinelli.

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