Liberec, 12 February Over 1500 participants from 44 European countries are gathering in Liberec, Jablonec nad Nisou and Korenoc-Rejdice, the three towns of the Juzera mountains where during more than a week they will compete, make friends and enjoy a taste of Olympic atmosphere.

They will all be accommodated in one Youth Village in the University dormitory in Harcov, not far from the sports venues. Some volunteers, lots of sports clubs and 55 members of the Organizing Committee will take care of the smooth course of the event, while schools children from the surroundings will ensure lively and roaring atmosphere at the venues.  

The Opening Ceremony of the European Youth Olympics (EYOWF) 2011 will take place on Sunday 13th February from 19:30 in Tipsport Arena in Liberec. The Ceremony will last about 100 minutes and will contain a rich social, cultural and music programme.

The grand Opening Ceremony of Winter EYOF 2011 will be attended by prominent figures of diplomacy, sport and public life from the Czech Republic and abroad. Apart from Jacques Rogge, President of the IOC, and Patrick Hickey, President of the EOC in attendance together with the members of the Executive Committee who are holding in Liberec their first meeting of the year, there will also be Milan Št?ch, President of the Senate of the Czech Republic and Stanislav Eichler, President of the Liberec Region. Among the notable guests will be sport legends Vlade Divac, Katarina Witt, Jean Michel Saive, V?ra ?áslavská, Jan Železný, Kv?ta Pecková and many others.

The technique of lighting the flame during the Opening Ceremony in Tipsport Arena is kept a close secret, the only thing certain being that it will carried out by two young Czech athletes from Liberec, active participants in EYOWF 2011.

The Olympic Torch will be accompanied on the last few meters by the Czech cross country skier Petra Hyn?icová and the ice hockey player Josef Mikyska.

Free entry for the public for all ceremonies and all Festival competitions, as usual at EYOF.

Visit the official site  www.eyowf2011.cz for full coverage.