First press conference by the World Championships Youth OC
You could translate the motto of the first press conference by the World Championships Youth OC, that took place on 5 July 2012 in the Untertal, with ”gathering and listening“. A circle of experts responded to the question of the young people on the banks of the lake at the Waldhäuslalm.
The topic of the first and exceptional press conference was “Alpine World Ski Championships 1982 versus Alpine World Ski Championships 2013.“ The teenagers had the opportunity to pose their questions to personalities like Reinhold Zitz (OC head schladming2013), Hermann Kröll (former mayor), Charly Kahr (legendary trainer), Toni Breitfuss (construction and technology 1982), Manfred Breitfuss (Congress Schladming) and Gerhard Pitzer (head of traffic schladming 2013) and receive background information. Young people from the age of 14 asked the questions. On the one hand, a school class had dealt with and prepared the topic, and on the other hand, young people from the region and the World Championship Youth OC were curious.
The press conference was moderated by Eva-Maria Steiner (head of World Championships Youth OC). It gave an insight into the organization of a major sports event in a rather unconventional, laid-back and unhurried way. It also became obvious what different challenges the organizers of the World Championships 1982 and those of 2012 had to face. The young people were very interested in issues concerning traffic, in changes in the sport and reasons and motivations to apply for hosting the Alpine World Ski Championships. Former mayor Hermann Kröll did not only mention the added value the region would gain, but also the exception commitment of the teenagers. “It is great to see how involved all of you are – keep up this attitude.”
The local TV channel Ennstal TV together with the World Championships Youth OC initiated the Youth OC press conference. The press conference will be broadcast by Ennstal TV and available online.
The people of the region shall have easy access to information about the Alpine World Ski Championships. Organizing press conferences with and for young people in a comfortable setting should lead to new questions, new points of view and friendly, equal interaction – a positive message to the public. The young people act as journalists and ask the questions. Concrete and relevant questions should lead to information and equally show adults and young people that friendly, cultured contact leads to the best amount possible of easily comprehensible information.
