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PicturedFans of different ages and levels of ability were able to try sports such as bobsleigh, ice skating and skiingAs well as cheering on the next generation of Olympic stars, fans at the 2nd Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer were able to put their own sporting skills to the test, with the “Try the Sport” programme giving young supporters the opportunity to have a go at all seven Olympic Winter sports when visiting the YOG venues.The free sessions – which were open to both beginners and more advanced athletes – gave children aged from six to 15 the chance to learn the basic skills of the sport or receive expert tuition from qualified coaches.For Lillehammer 2016 CEO Tomas Holmestad, this programme formed an integral part of what the Organising Committee was trying to achieve through the YOG. “From day one, we said we wanted to create Games where spectators could be participants,” he explained. “So, at every venue we set up a smaller venue, where everyone can try the sport. We hope the Games inspire children and youth to do sports, but in order to do so, the facilities and equipment are essential. “I think Try the Sport is great – where you can be inspired by the leading athletes in the world, and later try what they do. The journey of Lillehammer 2016 has told us the following: youth is best inspired by other youth.”Several famous athletes were also on-hand to lead the training sessions, including four-time Olympic Alpine skiing gold medallist Kjetil André Aamodt, Olympic skeleton champion Maya Pedersen and double Olympic biathlon champion Tora Berger.“I think it’s very good to introduce kids to all these different sports,” said Berger. “They won’t know if they like a sport if they’ve never had a chance to try it.”The Try the Sport programme gave more people than ever the chance to do just that, with 20,000 young fans having taken part by the end of Lillehammer 2016.TRY THE SPORT: FANS GET ACTIVE AT LILLEHAMMER 2016LILLEHAMMER 2016 REVIEW40 OLYMPIC REVIEW