The keys to the Youth Olympic Village, named the “Vortex”, were handed over to the Lausanne 2020 Organising Committee today during a ceremony on site.

Born out of a partnership between the Canton of Vaud and the Vaud Pension Fund (CPEV), this symbolic building was developed and built in record speed and completed in time to serve its initial function as the Youth Olympic Village for Lausanne 2020. The hosting of the Winter Youth Olympic Games acted as the accelerator that enabled the authorities to create the necessary partnerships to develop this much-needed infrastructure, which will then serve as a student accommodation complex at the heart of the University of Lausanne campus.

During the Games, the Vortex will serve as the main Youth Olympic Village for the athletes and their delegations. For the first time in the history of the Youth Olympic Games, all athletes staying in Lausanne will be housed under one roof. The Vortex is a 27-metre high, ring-shaped construction made up of 712 units spread along a 1 per cent sloped, 2.8km single-spiral ramp. The Vortex’s ideal location, near multiple public transport routes, will facilitate the athletes’ journey between the Youth Olympic Village and the competition venues.