2016 Winter Youth Olympics

II Winter Youth Olympic Games
Host city	Lillehammer, Norway
Teams participating	60+
Athletes participating	1,000+
Events	63
Opening ceremony	February 26, 2016 (2016-02-26)
Closing ceremony	March 6, 2016 (2016-03-06)
Main venue	Stampesletta

The 2016 Winter Youth Olympics (officially known as the II Winter Youth Olympic Games) is a major international sports and cultural festival for youths that is scheduled to take place in Lillehammer, Norway from February 26 to March 6, 2016.

Lillehammer was the only city to bid on the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games. They were officially awarded the games on December 7, 2011.^[1] Lillehammer previously hosted the 1994 Winter Olympic Games.

Organization

On December 7, 2011, the International Olympic Committee selected Lillehammer as the host city of the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics.^[2]

Bid Process

Lillehammer was the only city to bid for the games. The Norwegian Olympic Committee talked with Norwegian and regional authorities to investigated a bid and ultimately submitted a bid to the IOC. Upon the deadline for bidding, they were the only city to bid. Lillehammer hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics. They bid for the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics, but failed to become a candidate. Lake Placid, Lucerne, Zaragoza and Sofia all expressed interest in bidding but ultimately failed to submit any bids.^{[3][4][5][6] [7][8]}

Preparations

In January 2012, Siri Hatlen was appointed as head of the Lillehammer 2016 Organizing Committee.^[9] At the Closing ceremony of the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Lillehammer was handed the Olympic Flag.^[10]

Competition Venues

Lillehammer

Olympic ski jump, used at the 1994 Winter Olympics

• Birkebeineren Ski Stadium: Biathlon, Cross Country Skiing, Combined CC/Biathlon
• Lillehammer Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track: Bobsleigh, Skeleton, Luge
• Lillehammer Olympic Alpine Centre: Alpine Skiing, Freestyle, Skiing- cross, Snowboarding- slopestyle

Stampesletta

• Kristins Hall: Curling, Ice Hockey
• Lysgårdsbakken: Nordic Combined, Ski Jumping
• Kanthaugen Freestyle Arena: Freestyle Skiing- Ski halfpipe, Snowboarding- Halfpipe

Hamar

• Hamar OL-Amfi: Figure Skating
• Hamar Olympic Hall: Long track speed skating

Gjøvik

• Gjøvik Olympic Cavern Hall: Short track speed skating

Possible new sports

Bandy might be a part of the programme.[1]

External links

• IOC Evaluation Commission Report on Lillehammer's bid

References