The Youth Winter Olympic Games (YOG), scheduled in Gangwon (Korea) from January 19 to February 1 of 2024 are getting closer and closer.

Ahead of the prestigious event, the IOC has announced the names of the 17 athletes who will take on the role of 'Athlete Role Models' (ARM).

Among them is former Italian biathlete Dominik Windisch, who in his career has been able to win three Olympic bronze medals: one in the mixed relay in Sochi 2014 and the other two respectively in the sprint race and again in the mixed relay in Pyeongchang 2018. In his palmares, there are also a gold, a silver and a bronze at the World Championships, as well as a total of 14 podiums obtained on the World Cup circuit.

The ARMs will act as mentors for all the young athletes who will compete on Korean soil. The aim will be to pass on their experience and knowledge gained in their Olympic careers. In Gangwon, they will be a valuable tool available to athletes and their entourages to support them during competitions, training and in the Youth Olympic Village during a series of educational activities and workshops.

The ARM program is part of the broader 'Athlete Education Program' (AEP), which is designed to maximize the learning experience of all athletes and their entourage members. It has been an integral part of YOG since its first edition in Singapore in 2010.

"Young athletes look up to Olympians and try to follow in their footsteps, in sport as well as in life," said Kaveh Mehrabi. The ARMs embody the values of Olympism and act as beacons of excellence, respect and friendship, seeking to guide younger athletes towards achieving their dreams," concluded the Director of the IOC Athletes' Department. (agc)