They are the people who make sure the athletes have a bed to sleep in, help groom the slopes ready for competition and show you to your seats. They are the unsung heroes of the Youth Olympic Games, and this week the 1,400 volunteers for Innsbruck 2012 had their time to shine, with an all-singing, all-dancing launch event at Olympiaworld.

The evening included a live performance by Ema Baguzaite, the 14-year-old voice behind the official YOG song “Our Time”, an energetic demonstration of the official YOG Dance and a celebration of traditional Tyrolean culture.

Hailing from all corners of the world, from all walks of life and across generations, the volunteers also got the opportunity to meet each other and our happy-go-lucky mountain goat mascot, Yoggl, for the first time.

Among the volunteers enjoying the festivities were five locals who will complete a unique hat-trick in January 2012 when they become part of the Olympic Movement for the third time after already helping out at the 1964 and 1976 Innsbruck Olympic Games.

Thank you to all the volunteers taking part in Innsbruck 2012 – without you the first Winter Youth Olympic Games would not be possible!