As the first Winter Youth Olympics hit the halfway mark yesterday, IOC president Jacques Rogge praised the Games’ attendance, and the enthusiastic reception of several new sports in Innsbruck.

“After the success of Singapore (host of the 2010 Summer Youth Games), it is heart-warming to witness a city come alive once again with the spirit of the Youth Olympic Games,” Rogge said.

“In the five days of the Games so far, we have seen ski halfpipe and women’s ski jump make their debut on an Olympic programme and the introduction of new sport formats, such as the mixed gender parallel team event in alpine skiing.”

“All were received with great enthusiasm by spectators in the packed stadiums, said Rogge, who was one of the main drivers behind the Youth Olympics.

With half of the competitions over, a total 117 medals have been given out, including the first ever African gold medal at a Winter Olympics, which went to Adam Lamhamedi, of Morroco, for the men’s super-G.

Over 1,000 athletes, aged 14-18, are competing in 15 disciplines until next Sunday.