So that's it - just one year to go to the Innsbruck 2012 Youth Olympic Games.

The innovative mixture of sport and culture as well as new competition formats makes the organisation of this event a special challenge and we are on schedule to deliver a memorable competition.

With just one year before the Opening Ceremony for the Games, we are excited that it is now all so close and we are working at full blast to turn them into a unique experience for the 1,058 athletes.

Several initiatives have been taken around the world by National Olympic Committee (NOC), federations and others to celebrate and promote the one-year-to-go countdown with us.

In Innsbruck, festivities to celebrate the event include the start of a countdown clock to the Games at 20:12 by Tyrol Governor Gunther Platter, while a gathering of Tyrolean Olympic medallists, media and other guests will be invited to try out some of the sports on the Innsbruck 2012 programme.

So I would like to use this opportunity to thank everyone for the support we get and hope to welcome as many as possible in one year's time.

Peter Bayer is the chief executive of Innsbruck 2012