Chernyshenko has arrived here as part of a Russian delegation that includes the country's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, while the Sochi 2014 leader has also featured as a Torchbearer in the Innsbruck 2012 Torch Relay where he passed the Youth Olympic Flame to Austrian Paralympic Alpine skiing champion Claudia Loesch (pictured centre).

"The Winter Youth Olympic Games has been amazingly inspiring and there has been a great atmosphere and spirit of celebration everywhere," he said.

"It's a privilege to have been the Torchbearer and to be supported by so many Olympic fans.

"We look forward to using the Innsbruck experience as part of our preparations to the stage the most innovative Games in Olympic history."

Kozak has also been heavily involved in activities in Innsbruck as the Russian Deputy Prime Minister has met with young Russian athletes to wish them well for their events, as well as the Russian Volunteers' team currently working at the Youth Olympic Games.

Russia will be represented by 67 young athletes at Innsbruck 2012 with women's figure skating traditionally being one of the team's biggest hopes.


One of the team's biggest medal prospects is World Junior Championships silver medallist Elizaveta Tuktamysheva (pictured) who said that the Winter Youth Olympics are the perfect rehearsal ahead of Sochi 2014.

"It's going to be much more than just a competition for me," said Tuktamysheva.

"It's a big responsibility and a new exciting experience at the same time.

"We will have a great chance to feel what the Olympics are all about two years ahead of Sochi 2014; what it feels like to live and communicate with other athletes, handle the pressure and hopefully win."

Russian sporting officials also share the young skater's optimism ahead of the tournament.

Nikolai Tolstykh, executive director of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), added that he is hopeful his team can put in a good performance in Innsbruck.

"Of course, we expect some good results from our athletes at the Games," he said.

"Hopefully, each of them will manage to fulfil their potential, despite the pressure which is always there when it comes to big events like this."

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