Austria's former athletes Franz Klammer, Egon Zimmermann and Angelika Neuner, from left, stand in front of the burning cauldron during the opening ceremony of the first winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria, Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)The Associated Press
The inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games got under way on Friday with an opening ceremony featuring classic and modern dance, along with video flashbacks to 1964 and 1976 when Innsbruck was host of the Winter Olympics.
"It is altogether fitting that this new Olympic tradition will begin in Innsbruck," International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said. "These Games will enhance a great legacy that includes Innsbruck's role as host of the 1964 and 1976 Olympic Winter Games."
The Youth Olympic cauldron at the Bergisel ski jumping stadium was lit by Paul Gerstgraser, who will represent Austria in the nordic combined event.
The 1964 and 1976 cauldrons were lit by the respective Olympic downhill champions, Egon Zimmermann and Franz Klammer, while the Olympic flag was carried into the stadium by a series of former Olympic champions from Austria, including ski jumpers Toni Innauer and Karl Schnabl.
Corryn Brown of Kamloops, B.C., was Canada's flag-bearer.
"It was the most amazing feeling," said the 16-year-old curler. "As soon as they called 'Canada' I got chills down my whole body. I looked up and saw the whole crowd and [heard]the Canadian team just cheering. It was a great feeling."
Brown was chosen out of the Canadian contingent of 51 athletes.
"One day my dad just came into my room and says 'Corryn you're the flag-bearer," Brown said. "I thought he was kidding, so it was unreal."
Canada's hockey team opened Friday with a 4-3 loss to Russia.
Reid Gardiner, added to the team as an injury replacement last month, scored once and added an assist, pulling the Canadians to within a goal with three minutes to go.
Ryan Pilon and Adam Brooks also scored while team captain Joe Hicketts added two assists. Keven Bouchard made 25 saves in the Canadian goal.
Brown and her teammates, meanwhile, get going Saturday with games against Germany and Austria.
The Games continue until Jan. 22 with 1,059 athletes aged 15 to 18 from 70 countries competing in 63 medal competitions. Some sports are new to the Olympics, others are known sports in a new format with teams of mixed genders and nationalities competing, underlining the event's values of respect and friendship.
With files from The Associated Press