LAUSANNE, Jan. (Xinhua) -- More than 170,000 spectators had already watched Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games midway through the sports gala, said the organizers on Thursday.
"We are very proud of what Lausanne 2020 has achieved so far." said Lausanne 2020 President Virginie Faivre, revealing that more than 170,000 spectators had already showed up and watched the competitions, most of them are schoolchildren.
"We've seen venues full to the brim with crowds cheering in a very fair way for athletes," she added.
What's more, the Efforts to encourage officials, athletes and spectators to use public transportation are regarded as one of the brightest highlights of the Games. According to the official data, 80 percent of the teams travelled to the venues and slopes with public transportation, which meant great help to keep the Games environmentally sustainable.
"So what we said we were doing in the context of Olympic Agenda 2020, here they are," said Christophe Dubi, IOC Executive Games Director.
With Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics not far away, Dubi emphasized the importance of engaging the younger generation into sports.
"If there is one thing we can learn, it is to engage and create opportunities for youth." he said.
"We learned here is to create opportunities, to play, to have fun, to engage and to exchange.
"When you have all the local youth engaged, when they can try the sports, then it creates a true sense the Games are for everyone."
"We would like to stay longer," said Swiss YOG champion Thomas Bussard, who claimed title on ski mountaineering together with his twin brother Robin.
"Living together with all the athletes, the facilities, it was wonderful." Enditem
