Geneva, Nov 29 (IANS): The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that Brasov (Romania) and Lausanne (Switzerland) submitted applications for hosting the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) by the Nov 28 deadline.

Neither Brasov nor Lausanne have hosted a major Olympic event before, although Lausanne is known as the "Olympic capital" as the IOC headquarters are based there, along with 60 international sporting federations, reported Xinhua.

"We are delighted that Brasov and Lausanne are in the running for 2020 and want to bring the spirit of the Youth Olympic Games to their cities," said IOC president Thomas Bach.

"Both candidates have signalled their strong interest in hosting the YOG, and we look forward to receiving each bid's vision on how these Games can best reach young people and benefit their communities in a sustainable way.

"It promises to be a close race all the way to the election in 2015."

The IOC will announce the host city for the Games in July or August 2015.

The first edition of the Winter YOG was held in Innsbruck in 2012, with the second edition scheduled to take place in Lillehammer in 2016.

Innsbruck hosted the 1964 and 1976 Olympic Winter Games, while Lillehammer held the 1994 Olympic Winter Games.