Countdown begins to the 2014 Youth Olympic Games

The countdown clock to the opening of the Youth Olympic Games was unveiled in Xinjiekou Square in Nanjing on Thursday.

"In exactly one year, Nanjing will welcome the world's best young athletes for the second edition of the summer Youth Olympic Games. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the talented Organizing Committee team, Nanjing will certainly host a wonderful and memorable Youth Olympic Games," said Jacques Rogge, the President of the International Olympic Committee, in a recorded message.

"These Games will offer the chance to witness something very special -- the Olympic champions of the future. They will inspire young people around the world to become more active in sports and encourage them to embrace, embody and live by the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect," he added.

In addition to the six-meter high countdown clock in Xinjiekou Square, Omega has also installed a four-meter version at the entrance to the offices of the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee.

The Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games will run from Aug 16 to Aug 28 next year.