Lillehammer to host 2016 Winter Youth Games

PanARMENIAN.Net - Twenty-two years after hosting the Winter Olympics, the Norwegian town of Lillehammer will stage the second edition of the Winter Youth Games in 2016.

Lillehammer, host of the highly successful 1994 Olympics, was the only candidate for the youth event.

The Norwegian bid was officially approved by the International Olympic Committee's executive board.

IOC President Jacques Rogge says "we are excited to be going back to Lillehammer, which hosted unforgettable Winter Games in 1994."

More than 1,000 athletes ranging from 15 to 18 will compete at the Youth Games.

The first Winter Youth Games will take place next month in Innsbruck, Austria.

Singapore hosted the first Summer Youth Olympics last year. Nanjing, China, will host the second summer edition in 2014, AP reported.