On 9th July 2017, the IOC Executive Board, of which FIS President Gian Franco Kasper is a member, agreed on the programme for the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne (SUI) and it includes the addition of ladies’ Nordic Combined and Freestyle Ski and Snowboard big air.
The decision comes following the Youth Olympic Games Working Group’s recommendations, and as a result of the ongoing collaboration and strong partnerships that the IOC has with the Winter International Federations and Lausanne 2020. The move ensures that more youth, more women and more innovative content will be introduced at the Winter YOG.
The confirmed event programme means full gender balance the first time at a Winter Olympic event, with the highest number of women’s events and women ever competing at the Winter YOG.
Embracing the youth-focused innovations becoming synonymous with the Youth Olympic Games model, the IOC has also worked closely with all seven IFs, and adaptations have been made in each sport, which were approved by the Executive Board. For all the new sports and events, existing venues will be used.
The IOC Executive Board also confirmed that a two-wave stay of athletes will be pioneered for Lausanne 2020, giving more young athletes the opportunity to have the Winter Youth Olympic experience. With the two-wave approach, athletes will be able to condense their length of stay, meaning no need for additional beds in the Youth Olympic Village. The total number of athletes will be 1,880.
The changes approved by the IOC EB are fully supported by Lausanne 2020 and reflect Olympic Agenda 2020 and the recommendations of the YOG V 2.0 Working Group.
Source: fis-ski.com
