The following is a list of national flagbearers for the 70 countries which took part in the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics.
Athletes entered the stadium in an order dictated by tradition. As the originator of the Olympics, Greece entered first. Austrian delegates entered last, representing the host nation. The delegations entered by German the official language of the host nation.
The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) is an international multi-sport event for athletes between 15 and 18 years old, organized by the International Olympic Committee. The games are held every four years in staggered summer and winter events consistent with the current Olympic Games format, though in reverse order with the Olympic Winter Games held in leap years instead of the Games of the Olympiad. The first summer version was held in Singapore from 14 to 26 August 2010 while the first winter version was held in Innsbruck, Austria from 13 to 22 January 2012.
The 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games, officially known as the I Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG), were an international multi-sport event for youths that took place in Innsbruck, Austria, on 13–22 January 2012. They were the inaugural Winter Youth Olympics, a major sports and cultural festival celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games. Approximately 1100 athletes from 70 countries competed. The decision for Innsbruck to host the Games was announced on 12 December 2008 after mail voting by 105 International Olympic Committee (IOC) members. Innsbruck is the first city to host three winter Olympic events, having previously hosted the 1964 Winter Olympics and the 1976 Winter Olympics.
The Olympic Games ceremonies of the ancient Olympic Games were an integral part of the games; modern Olympic Games have opening, closing, and medal ceremonies. Some of the elements of the modern ceremonies date back to the ancient games from which the modern Olympics draw their ancestry. An example of this is the prominence of Greece in both the opening and closing ceremonies. During the 2004 Summer Olympics, the medal winners received a crown of olive branches, which was a direct reference to the ancient games, in which the victor's prize was an olive wreath. The various elements of ceremonies are mandated by the Olympic Charter, and cannot be changed by the host nation. Host nations are required to seek the approval of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for ceremony elements, including the artistic portions of the opening and closing ceremonies.
During the Parade of Nations at the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, held beginning at 6:00 PM PST on February 12, 2010, 82 athletes bearing the flags of their respective nations led their national delegations as they paraded into BC Place Stadium in the host city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Belgium competed at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. The Belgian team consisted of 7 athletes and 9 officials. Philippe Preat a former Belgian triathlete served as the Chef De Mission of the team. Belgium concluded the Games with one silver medal, won by Dries Van Den Broecke.
The Cayman Islands competed at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. The Cayman Islands team was made up of one athlete, an alpine skier.
Eritrea competed at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. The Eritrean team was made up of one athlete, a Canadian born alpine skier. This marked Eritrea's debut at a Winter Olympics.
Brazil competed at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. The Brazilian team was made up of two athlete, both in alpine skiing.
Argentina competed at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. The Argentine team was made up of five athletes in three sports.
San Marino competed at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. The San Marino team was made up of one athlete, an alpine skier, and two officials. Alberto Zampagna will serve as the chef de mission.
Croatia competed at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. The Croatian team was made up of 9 athletes competing in 6 different sports.
Andorra competed at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. The Andorran team consisted of 4 athletes competing in 3 sports.
Armenia competed at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. The Armenian team consisted of three athletes in two sports.
Austria was the host of the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. With 81 athletes competing, Austria was the largest team at these Games. The host nation competed in all events except for the Figure Skating pair's event.
Belarus competed at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. The Belarusian team consisted of 16 athletes in 7 sports.
Bosnia and Herzegovina competed at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. The Bosnia and Herzegovina team consisted of 4 athletes in 3 sports. It did not win any medals.
Bulgaria competed at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. The Bulgarian team consisted of 11 athletes in 6 sports.
Chile competed at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. The Chilean team consisted of 5 athletes competed in 3 different sports.
Mexico competed at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. The Mexican team was made up of one skeleton athlete and two officials. The chef de mission of the team was Carlos Pruneda.
During the Parade of Nations within the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on February 4, athletes and officials from each participating country marched in the Beijing National Stadium preceded by their flag and placard bearer bearing the respective country's name. Each flag bearer was chosen either by the nation's National Olympic Committee or by the team of athletes themselves.
 Olympic Games national flag bearers by year | |
|---|---|
| Summer Olympics | |
| Winter Olympics | |
| Intercalated Games | |
| Summer Youth Olympics | |
| Winter Youth Olympics | |
