IOC President Bach tells YOG athletes: ‘Never Give Up. Live Your Passion’
LAUSANNE, Jan 18 — International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach welcomed the second wave of athletes at the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games with a simple message: “Never give up. Live your passion.’’
Bach spoke to the new group of competitors who arrived for the final week of Lausanne 2020 in a ceremony at the Amphimax on Friday evening.
“If you live your passion and give your best, you will be greatly rewarded,’’ Bach said. “If one day it is not working, never give up. It will work.”
The IOC President said the first eight days of competition have been a tremendous success, thanks in large part to the hospitality of the Swiss people.
“You can get ready to be welcomed with open arms by these wonderful Swiss hosts,” Bach said. “All the people here are embracing the Games and are happy to see you in competition in the city. You will have audiences which you will never have expected for junior events.”
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Also addressing the athletes was Virginie Faivre, president of the Lausanne 2020 organising committee.
“You can enjoy a unique experience here,’’ the Swiss freestyle skier said. “Enjoy the Games. It is your time to shine. Switzerland has been waiting for you. There are going to be lots of spectators waiting for you and I hope you will have the time of your life.”
The messages resonated for 17-year-old Daniela Dejori (ITA), who will be competing in women’s Nordic Combined after spending the last four months training in Norway. It is the first time women will compete in Nordic Combined in any Olympic competition.
“My expectations are just to have fun actually,” Dejori said. “I am not fixed on any results because I know it is a new sport and I am all about fun. The message from the president was really clear, never give up. So I just think we have to keep that in mind.”
Argentine cross-country skier Agustina Groetzner, 16, was eager to start competing.
“It’s a beautiful experience to represent my country,” she said. “I started preparing for the Games four years ago and I am just trying to be my best ever.”
At the close of the ceremony, the athletes were treated to a performance by 19-year-old Russian break-dancer Sergei Chernyshev, who won the first ever gold medal in the sport at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games.
