Fritz Strobl, a ski racer from Austria, runs Olympic torch relay during the opening ceremony of the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria, Jan. 13, 2012. (Xinhua/Xu Liang)

Olympic flame came back to Innsbruck for the third time, but in a youthful version this time.

The new-born Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) made its debut Friday in the Austrian ski resort, host to the Olympic Winter Games in 1964 and 1976, and warmly welcomed over 1,000 athletes from 70 countries and regions in a cold weather.

The tournament not only marks the first-ever Winter Games for young people aged between 14-18, also signals the first time that the Olympic flame has been lit in the same city on three occasions.

Heinz Fischer, president of Austria, declared open for the Games to the roaring cheers of spectators facing the iconic Bergisel Stadium, which has witnessed two opening ceremonies of the Olympic Winter Games.

Three cauldrons, including two of the Olympic Winter Games and one of the Winter YOG, was lit one-by-one by Olympic gold medalists and YOG athlete.

"It is altogether symbolic that this new Olympic tradition will begin in Innsbruck. These Games will enhance a great legacy that includes Innsbruck's role as host of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games," said International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, the founding father of the YOG.

Following Olympic tradition, the Winter Youth Olympic flame, first lit on Dec. 19, 2011 from Ancient Olympia, travelled back to Austria and made the torch relay across the country from 27 December 2011 to 13 January 2012.

It is all so like the Olympic Games, but the Winter YOG, described as "experimental place of Olympic movement" by IOC president Jacques Rogge, has something different.

A unique mix of sports and culture activities have been created.

Just like the inaugural summer youth event in Singapore, the winter edition features exciting new formats and team competitions, including mixed gender events and those in which athletes from different National Olympic Committees compete alongside each other in the same team.

The Winter YOG has the same seven disciplines as at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, with the addition of new events such as women's ski jumping, ski halfpipe and snowboard slopestyle. Other events, such as ice hockey skills challenge and speed skating mass start are also initiated for the Games.

Getting on the podium is not the sole focus, however, the culture exchange between young people from all over the world is the priority.

During the 10-day sports gala, athletes will be engaged in numerous culture and education programs to help them foster the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship.

Six pillars of Culture and Education Program have been established. From mountain excursions to dance and drumming workshops, from media labs to youth festival, athletes could always find their interest.

"You have a chance to be true champions, not only by winning medals, but by conducting yourself like Olympians," Rogge said.

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