November 12, 2008 – The International Olympic Committee has revealed the names of the finalist Candidate Cities from which the host city for the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012 will be elected. Innsbruck and Kuopio were selected by the IOC Executive Board, and will now be submitted to a postal vote by the IOC members. The host city will be announced by IOC President Jacques Rogge in a live web cast on www.olympic.org, provisionally scheduled for December 12, 2008.

The EB’s decision on the two finalists was based on an IOC Evaluation Commission report, which is now available on www.olympic.org. Chaired by Pernilla Wiberg, the Commission assessed the projects of the four short-listed Candidate Cities – Harbin (CHI), Innsbruck (AUT), Kuopio (FIN) and Lillehammer (NOR). The report focused on the risks associated with the organization of the Games within the time frame of only three years to plan and prepare to host the first edition of this new event.