Before I will start to describe the next CEP activity - the Youth Olympic Games World Mile - I just want to call your attention on some articles dealing with social media awareness. In my last blog entry, I wrote that social media is a great tool, however, there are some rules you should observe when using it. I am not talking about the IOC rules on social media - they have a marketing background. Thomas van Schalk of a site called "Sportsnetworker" gives a great overview of the whole "social media and athletes" issue. Even "funnier" is a list by Dave Thomas, showing you what can go awry when emotions get the best of you while tweeting. At the end of the day, it all comes down to the headline of Jure Doler's article on Fieldoo: Think before you speak! I am sure that after reading all those well-written articles, you'll get a better understanding of why the CEP's Media Lab is a very good initiative.
Ok, back to topic. I remember a funny story when we were in Singapore. One guy told me that so far he has not found a particular CEP activity. When I asked him which one, he said: "The World Mile!". Because this is the funny thing about the World Mile: It's such an interesting and fun thing to do that, at first glance, you don't think of it as a cultural or an educational initiative. If you want to think about the YOG in numbers - those are quite impressive: Innsbruck 2012 will unite approximately 1,000 athletes and 500 coaches, coming from 65 different countries! All those numbers add up to a vast plurality of different languages, cultures, customs, traditions and mindsets.
The concept of the Youth Olympic World Mile is rather simple. During games time - so from January 13th through 22nd - Tyrolean students will take turns presenting the different nations competing in the YOG. They will open a booth in the Congress Center Innsbruck, where most of the CEP activities will take place. This is another asset to the World Mile: Like in Singapore, it will be located directly on the participants' way to lunch and dinner. So even if we have not convinced all of them yet to attend the CEP, you have to pass there at least twice a day (if you don't want to starve :).
At those booths, the students will present a variety of topics, ranging from geographic facts over the climate to local customs and traditions. Those students are incredibly creative when it comes to designing their World Mile booths For instance, the guys in Singapore have prepared a life-sized Hermann Maier cut-out where you could take pictures of yourself as the "Herminator".
The Youth Olympic Games World Mile is designed that the countries to be presented will take turns. About ten countries will be on display for a couple of days before the next students will be given opportunity to present their works. Like that, you can really explore in detail all the different countries participating in the YOG. Besides, there will also be stands from various NGOs, like the United Nations (UNAID, UNICEF, UNESCO), but also the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) or the International Olympic Academy (IOA). So in a nutshell, the Youth Olympic Games World Mile will be a mind-broadening experiences where people can learn about different cultures as well as important topics. When I say "people can learn", I am referring to the probably most important point: The World Mile will be open to the general public, so it will become a meeting point for YOG participants as well as Innsbruck's population. I doubt that intercultural exchange can get any better :).The next update might take a couple of days since I have some stuff to do at university (last class EVER :). Until then, take good care of yourselves and see you soon.
So long,
Flo
"Herminator" pic © Sean Lee
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