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22 OLYMPIC REVIEW IOC PRESIDENT PRAISES LILLEHAMMER 2016 AFTER ÔOUTSTANDINGÕ WINTER YOGLAUSANNE 2020 TO HAVE ÔWOWÕ FACTORSurrounded by young athletes, along with IOC Honorary President Jacques Rogge and Chair of the Lillehammer 2016 Organising Committee (LYOGOC) Siri Hatlen, IOC President Thomas Bach closed the 2nd Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on Sunday 21 February. During his closing press conference, the IOC President praised LYOCOG for their efforts in planning and delivering the Games.ÒThe work of the Organising Committee was really outstanding,Ó he said. ÒThe way the Lillehammer team planned and delivered the Games fitted perfectly with the youth spirit of these Games, and I can only praise the flawless organisation as well as the 3,000 volunteers from over 70 countries. This shows that, with these Youth Olympic Games, it was not only the athletes that were inspired; they in turn inspired the Organising Committee, the volunteers and all of us with their great attitude.ÓOver 210,000 spectators attended the free sporting and cultural events at the 2nd Winter YOG, which also enjoyed unprecedented media coverage.ÒEverything has gone according to plan, and we couldnÕt be happier,Ó said Lillehammer 2016 CEO Tomas Holmestad. ÒWe have had 70 medal events, an exciting educational programme and a free culture festival, the likes of which have not been seen in Norway. The only thing we had not accounted for was the huge public interest we received.Ó After declaring the Games closed, the IOC President invited the next generation of athletes to Lausanne for the 3rd edition of the Winter YOG in 2020.The Lausanne 2020 Organising Committee were keen observers during the Lillehammer 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games, as they prepare for their own YOG hosting duties in four yearsÕ time.Ian Logan, the recently appointed CEO of Lausanne 2020, led a delegation of 20 colleagues in Norway who participated in the IOC Observer Programme, gaining a Òbehind the scenesÓ look at the day-to-day operational demands of hosting the Games.For Logan and his team, observing Lillehammer 2016 in action provided a unique opportunity to learn how things are done in a real Games-time setting Ð and Logan was impressed by what he saw. ÒThese Games have been very well organised,Ó he said. ÒIt is great to see how the Lillehammer 2016 Organising Committee has brought everything together. The organisation and the logistics have all been very smooth, but what has really impressed me is the friendly atmosphere.ÓAs he looks ahead to the 3rd Winter YOG, Logan also revealed what he would like Lausanne to achieve in four yearsÕ time.ÒI would like to create a ÔWowÕ factor,Ó he said. ÒI want everyone to say, ÔWowÕ, when they come to our Games. We want the athletes, the spectators, the local people and everyone else to be amazed. Then I will know that we have done something good.ÓOn 7 December, the IOC announced that Argentinian hockey legend Luciana Aymar will act as an Ambassador for the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018. The four-time Olympic medallist and eight-time International Hockey Federation (FIH) Player of the Year began her new role by participating in two days of activities to support the local Organising Committee in its mission to Òbring sport to the peopleÓ. On 4 December, she hosted a skills clinic for 350 hockey players at the Madre del Pueblo club in the south of the city Ð an area of Buenos Aires that the local government intends to regenerate. Assisted by the young Argentinian hockey players who won bronze at Nanjing 2014, Aymar spent several hours teaching essential hockey skills, giving advice and chatting with the youngsters. The next day, she made a guest appearance at the Hockey World League final between Great Britain and Argentina in Rosario, north of Buenos Aires.HOCKEY LEGEND NAMED 2018 YOG AMBASSADORAbove Luciana Aymar has been chosen to inspire young peopleAbove President Bach with young athletes in Lillehammer