Source: www.olympic.org

YOGGL, Innsbruck 2012’s mascot, was presented to the public today at the opening of the Youth Olympic Games Snow Festival in the centre of Innsbruck.

YOGGL is an Alpine chamois who lives at moderately high altitudes in the steep, rugged and rocky Karwendel Mountains between Innsbruck and Seefeld.  His name "YOGGL" (pronounced just like in YOG) is based on the rustic nickname "Joggl" for Jakob, which is a traditional and very common Tyrolean name, adjusted with a "Y" at the beginning. The name contains the abbreviation “YOG”, making the mascot part of the Youth Olympic Games.  He symbolises life in Alpine regions and will raise awareness of respect for nature and our natural resources, like all the "Mountain Joggls" do.

Concerts were also held at the Snow Festival today, marking the 35th anniversary of the Innsbruck 1976 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony. This coming weekend will be all about sport, showcasing the 15 winter sport disciplines on the Innsbruck 2012 sports programme in the city centre. Visitors will have the opportunity to try out a bobsleigh simulator and a snow ramp built especially for the Festival. On the ice rink at Sparkassenplatz, they will be able to test their skills at ice hockey, figure skating and curling. A DJ will also there to create the right atmosphere!