OLYMPIC REVIEW17Bidding opens forgames of theXXXIIOlympiad in2020The InternationalOlympic Committee(IOC) has officiallylaunched the bidprocess for the Gamesof the XXXII Olympiad in2020. National OlympicCommittees (NOCs) havebeen invited to submitthe name of one citywithin their jurisdictionas an applicant to hostthe Games in a littleunder nine years' time.The NOCs have until 1 September 2011 tosubmit the name of anApplicant City, and thesecities will then berequired to submit theirapplication files andguarantee letters to theIOC by 15 February2012. The election of theHost City for the 2020Olympic Games will takeplace on 7 September2013 during the 125thIOC Session in BuenosAires, Argentina.The London Organising Committee for theOlympic Games (LOCOG) has unveiled thedesign of the medals for the 2012Games,as well as prototypes of the Olympic torchthat will travel the length and breadth of the UnitedKingdom during the Olympic Torch Relay next year.The gold, silver and bronze medals, which weredesigned by British artist David Watkins, are 85mmin diameter and 7mm thick, weighing between375g and 400g. The front of the medals featuresthe traditional image of the Greek Goddess ofVictory, Nike, stepping out of the Parthenon to arrivein the Host City, while the reverse features anabstract design with the London 2012 logo at itscentre, as a metaphor for the modern city.The golden torch was designed to reflect thecelebratory nature of the Olympic torch relay andthe Olympic Games. Its triangular shape wasinspired by multiples of three found across theOlympic Movement, including the Olympic values ofexcellence, friendship and respect, and the fact thatthe 2012 Games will be the third Olympic Gamesheld in London, after 1908 and 1948. The designalso features 8,000 perforated circles, whichrepresent the 8,000 torchbearers and the estimated8,000 miles (12,875 kilometres) that the Olympicflame is expected to travel during the 70-day relay.LOCOG Chairman Sebastian Coe said: "Thetorch that carries the Olympic flame during theOlympic torch relay is one of the most recognisableand significant symbols of an Olympic Games. I amthrilled we have a beautifully designed, engineeredand crafted torch for the torchbearers to carry.Integral to the design are the 8,000 circles, a lastingrepresentation of the torchbearer's stories ofpersonal achievement or contribution to their localcommunity that will be showcased with every stepof the relay." (See page 35 for more about the Olympic torch.)Pictured Olympian Jonathan Edwards unveilsthe Olympic torch with LOCOG Chair Seb Coe;the London 2012 medals (below)LONDON2012TORCHANDMEDALSUNVEILEDSOCHI 2014 CELEBRATES 1,000DAYSTOGOSochi 2014 has celebrated 1,000days to go until the OpeningCeremony of the XXII Olympic Winter Games, whichwill take place on 7 February 2014. Events tomark this significant milestone in the Gamespreparations were principally themed around theenvironment, healthy living, education and culture.The OMEGA countdown clock for Sochi 2014was also unveiled in the centre of the host city,and its design is intended to reflect the spirit of a dynamic region which is defined as much by its history and tradition as by its contemporaryoutlook. The clock's size, shape and colourscommunicate the contrasting landscape in Sochi, which boasts both majestic mountains and the Black Sea. Jean-Claude Killy, IOC CoordinationCommission Chairman for the Games in Sochi,said: "It was great to see the whole of Russiagetting involved in Sochi 2014's 1,000-days-to-go celebrations. The excitement and engagementthat we witnessed across the country wereexceptional, and will no doubt continue to increasewith the nationwide opening of Sochi's volunteercentres. The unveiling of the stunning countdownclock serves to remind us all that this greatcountry will soon be playing host to the world andits finest winter athletes. The clock is now reallyticking and I'm confident that the Olympians of2014 will receive a fantastic welcome."NEWS INBRIEFAbove Crowds gather to witness the unveilingof the Countdown Clock in Sochi on 14 May

Austrian Alpine ski racer and Olympicchampion Benjamin Raich will be a WinterYouth Olympic Games (YOG) Ambassadorfor Innsbruck 2012, which will take placefrom 13 to 22 January 2012. Raich, thegold medallist in slalom and giant slalomat the 2006 Turin Olympic Winter Games,is the second Winter Youth Olympic GamesAmbassador, following the announcementof Lindsey Vonn earlier this year. Raich andVonn follow in the footsteps of Singapore2010 YOG Ambassadors Usain Bolt, YelenaIsinbaeva and Michael Phelps.In addition to encouraging youngpeople worldwide to become more activein sport, both Raich and Vonn will also actas mentors and support the young athletescompeting in Innsbruck as part of theirroles as Winter Youth Olympic GamesAmbassadors.Hailing from Tyrol, the region of whichInnsbruck is the capital, Raich won theJunior World Championships in bothslalom and giant slalom, and this experienceof international competition at a youngage will help Raich identify and connectwith the athletes competing in Innsbruck."As a Tyrolean, I have skied thesemountains all of my life," said Raich. "Itmakes me enormously proud to see thefirst Winter Youth Olympic Games hostedin Innsbruck and witness elite youngathletes from all over the world experiencethe world-class facilities this region has to offer. "Developing youth sport is a greatpassion of mine, and as an Austrian it is a privilege for me to be part of Innsbruck2012. Winter sports are hugely excitingboth to participate in and to watch, and I hope that in my role as an Ambassador I can encourage young people to do both!"IOC President Jacques Rogge said: "It is truly sensational to have two-timeOlympic gold medallist Benjamin Raich onboard as a Winter Youth Olympic GamesAmbassador for Innsbruck 2012. "Benjamin is an exceptional athleteand one of Austria's best Alpine skiracers. He is a great icon in winter sport,and it is particularly special to have anAmbassador from the host nation.Together with Lindsey Vonn, we areconfident that Benjamin will make afantastic role model for the first WinterYouth Olympic Games."NANJING2014EMBLEMUNVEILED SINGAPORE2010LEGACYLIVESON Nanjing has unveiled its emblemfor the second Summer YouthOlympic Games in 2014.Launched during a live televisedceremony, which was broadcast toaudiences across China, the emblem is burstingwith colour and energy in celebration of the youthof today. The design also commemorates Nanjing'srich history by incorporating the famous City Gatesinto the wording. By using each letter 'n' tosymbolise an open gate, the emblem also conveysa warm 'welcome' message, encouraging allathletes and spectators to come together to sharein the excitement of the 2014 Youth OlympicGames in Nanjing.Thousands of athletes who participated in theinaugural Youth Olympic Games have made theirmark on Singapore's Marina Bay, with the unveilingof a permanent mural featuring their hand-madetiles. Constructed using 3,088 tiles - 2,804 ofwhich were individually hand-crafted by the athletesand workforce - the Youth Olympic Mural isassembled in an interlocking pattern to symbolisethe friendships made during the Games. The YOGlegacy also lives on at the Olympic Walk and YouthOlympic Park, which features more than 30sculptures and plaques commemorating the event.Above YOG athletes from Singapore give theirapproval to the new muralBENJAMINRAICHISSECOND WINTERYOGAMBASSADOR