Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra lit the Olympic Flame during the opening ceremony of the Youth Olympics in Lillehammer Friday night.
Her father the Crown Prince Haakon did the same thing 22 years ago, during the opening of the Olympics in Lillehammer in 1994. The ceremony was the throne heir`s first international assignment and was followed by a magnificent firework.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra was handed the Olympic Flame by the ski queen Marit Bjørgen after it had traveled from Greece and through the whole of Norway ahead of the Games.
The royal family has been involved in the Youth Olympics from the beginning, through H.K.H Crown Prince Haakon’s participation in the Games’ main committee.
13,000 guests from Norway and around the world met up in Lysgårdsbakkene in Lillehammer at the opening ceremony, which was completely sold out. Director of the opening ceremony was Sigrid Strom Reibo.
The Youth Olympic Games is held from 12.- 21. February in Lillehammer, Hamar, Gjovik, Oppland and Oslo. 1100 young athletes aged 15 to 18 years will compete in 70 exercises in the 15 Winter Olympic disciplines. 3000 volunteers ensure that the games are running smoothly.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today
