The 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games, officially known as the I Winter Youth Olympic Games , were an international multi-sport event for youths that took place in Innsbruck, from 13 to 22 January 2012. They were the inaugural Winter Youth Olympics, a major sports and cultural festival celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games. Approximately 1100 athletes from 70 countries competed. The decision for Innsbruck to host the Games was announced on 12 December, 2008 after mail voting by 105 International Olympic Committee members. Innsbruck is the first city to host three winter Olympic events, having previously hosted the 1964 Winter Olympics and the 1976 Winter Olympics. read more