August 15, 2008 – On 2nd August, Harbin (China), Innsbruck (Austria), Kuopio (Finland) and Lillehammer (Norway) were selected by the IOC Executive Board as shortlisted Candidate Cities for the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to be held in 2012.

The selection by the Executive Board was made on the basis of a study of the cities’ Candidature Files and related documents submitted to the IOC. The study and subsequent report were conducted by a panel of experts including FIS President Gian Franco Kasper. The panel assessed the risks and opportunities associated with each city’s project. Based on the timeframe of three and a half years available to host the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games, the panel also placed strong emphasis on the level of quality and detail relating to technical aspects, thus giving an indication of the robustness of each project. (please click here to read the report of the panel)

In December 2008, the host city for the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games will be announced by the IOC after a postal vote by all IOC members.