38OLYMPIC REVIEWGETYOURGOATver since the 1970s, mascots havebeen a fun and engaging element of theOlympic Games - and now they aremaking their mark on the Youth OlympicGames (YOG) as well. Hot on the heels of Lyoand Merly - the official mascots of Singapore 2010 -Innsbruck 2012 has revealed the design that willfeature on everything from plush toys to Olympic pinsand help to spread the word about the Winter YOG.But rather than rely on a professional designer to create its mascot, the Innsbruck 2012 OrganisingCommittee (IYOGOC) gave young people from allover the world the chance to make Olympic historyby designing the official mascot for the first WinterYOG. Open to people aged 25 and under, the onlineEcompetition ran from 30 October 2010 to thebeginning of December, when a judging panel chosetheir top three designs from entries received from 15 different countries.The public were then given five days to vote fortheir favourite design on Facebook before the winnerwas announced on 15 December. A mountain goatnamed Yoggl, designed by Luis Andrés Abbiati andFlorenica Demaria from Argentina, gained almosthalf the votes to beat designs featuring an ibex anda snowman. The design concept formed the basis ofthe official Innsbruck 2012 mascot, which was finallyunveiled on 4 February at the Youth Olympic SnowFestival in Innsbruck as Yoggl the alpine chamois."It is a great honour for Luis and me to knowthat our design will be involved in the first WinterYouth Olympic Games," said 24-year-old Florenicaafter hearing that the mountain goat designed byher and her 25-year-old boyfriend had been chosenby the public. "I'm so happy!"Innsbruck 2012 CEO Peter Bayer was equallypleased with the outcome of the competition andthe response from the public."I really like the mascot," he said. "It's not reallya traditional way of doing a mascot and that's what I love about it. That's part of our philosophy - let thekids do it, let them be part of it and they will carrythe idea from their hearts. It worked perfectly and I'm very happy with the outcome."n