(ATR) The Lausanne 2020 Organizing Committee takes charge of the Youth Olympic Village, 70 days before the Games begin.
The keys to the Vortex were handed over in an official ceremony on Thursday.
The pension fund of the State of Vaud (CPEV) financed and managed the construction of the building. For the first time in the history of the Youth Olympic Games, all athletes staying in Lausanne will be housed under one roof.
The Vortex is a 27-meter high, ring-shaped construction made up of 712 units spread along a one percent sloped, 2.8 km single spiral ramp. The building is located near multiple public transport lines, facilitating the athletes’ travels between the Olympic Village and the competition venues.
"The Olympic Games are not just about the sports – they are also about the people, the friendships and the memories created together. And what better way for young athletes to experience the Olympic dream in its fullest than by sharing it with the entire Olympic family under one roof,"Virginie Faivre, President of Lausanne 2020, said in a statement.
The Vortex was conceived as a long-term investment for youth, designed to respond to the growing demand for student housing in the region. Beginning in the summer of 2020, the Vortex will be home to more than 1,000 students, staff and academic visitors at the University of Lausanne.
"Vortex has, since the beginning of the Lausanne 2020 adventure, been a key symbol of our engagement for legacy and sustainable development. A project not created exclusively for the Games, but whose development has been accelerated by the Games," said Ian Logan, CEO of Lausanne 2020.
"That’s what Lausanne 2020 is all about. New, smart Games which adapt to their region and participate in their long-term development. We are incredibly proud to be inaugurating this exceptional building, which will serve as a home to thousands of students in years to come. A building which will forever be embraced by the Olympic spirit."
The Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games will take place from January 9 to 22, with 1,880 athletes aged 15 to 18 from more than 70 countries taking part. The competitions will be spread among the Swiss cantons of Vaud (Lausanne, La Vallée de Joux, Leysin, les Diablerets, Villars), Valais (Champéry), and Grisons (St. Moritz) as well as neighbouring France (Les Rousses, Les Tuffes stadium).
Written by Gerard Farek
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