Lillehammer 2016 putting IOC Olympic Agenda 2020 into action

The Lillehammer 2016 Organising Committee (LYOGOC) has embraced and implemented many of the Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations into the Games in response to President Bach’s request to “look for options to scale down the protocol at the Youth Olympic Games.” The Coordination Commission wholeheartedly supported the recent decision to move the half-pipe competitions to the existing venue in Oslo, creating more flexibility for the organisation. The decision was taken to hold victory ceremonies within the venues at the end of the competitions, reducing the protocol of a medals plaza, and a scaled down farewell party will replace the Closing Ceremony.  

IOC Coordination Commission Chair Angela Ruggiero said: “The team in Lillehammer has taken its sustainable approach to a new level with its creative and innovative ideas to not only reduce cost, but to make the YOG unique. I can feel the excitement building as the Olympic rings return to Norway in less than 300 days. With the extensive plans to engage all young people across the nation, Lillehammer 2016 will leave a great legacy long after the Games have concluded.”  She continued: “From day one, we have had a great partnership with the team in Lillehammer and long may this collaboration continue as we go towards the Games!” 

Moving away from the traditional Torch Relay, LYOGOC presented its Torch Tour concept, which will engage all 19 counties of Norway. This “road-show” will take the flame nationwide to visit nominated young “sport change-makers”. A flame event will be hosted in each county, organised by 200 young leaders who will go on to support the thousands of Games-time volunteers. 

Engaging with communities, another key Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendation, has been put into practice by the local organisers and supported by government at national, county and municipal level. A total of 21,000 young Norwegians will experience their “Dream Day” at the YOG; enjoying sports competitions, participating in the “Try the Sport” programme and enjoying the music and culture festivals that are under development.   

Furthermore, LYOGOC gave an update on its projects to involve young people at all levels of the organisation, from young designers who created the mascot, pictograms and Look of the Games, to young sports presenters and competition managers. This commitment to involve young people was further supported by the decision to follow the successful Innsbruck 2012 model of free tickets to all the sports competitions. 

With legacy at the heart of the organisation, starting with the re-use of existing venues from the 1994 Olympic Winter Games, the Coordination Commission was happy with the progress made on the Youth Olympic Village (YOV), which is near to completion.  Supported by the IOC’s EUR 13.5 million investment, this venue will be used as student housing before and after the Games. Several other legacy commitments have also come to fruition, including contributing to the 10-year plan to boost Norwegian youth sport and the establishment of a Lillehammer Legacy Centre. 

Tomas Holmestad, LYOGOC’s CEO, said: “The IOC has confirmed that we are on the right track in our planning, and, with its guidance and openness to our ideas, we have created some new and exciting elements to make Lillehammer 2016 totally unique and totally awesome.”

###

The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit independent international organisation made up of volunteers, which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, helping athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world. 

###

For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team: Tel: +41 21 621 6000 e-mail: pressoffice@olympic.org, or visit our web site at www.olympic.org.

Videos YouTube

Photos For an extensive selection of photos available shortly after each event, please follow us on Flickr To request archive photos and footage, please contact our Images team at: images@olympic.org.

Social media For up-to-the-minute information on the IOC and regular updates, please follow us on: Twitter: IOC Media, Youth Olympic Games, Olympic Games Facebook: Youth Olympic Games, Olympic Games Instagram: Youth Olympic Games, Olympic Games