Mitchell said the third edition of the event had been a "fantastic success" and organisers had created "a fantastic atmosphere of elite sport and shared Olympic values".

"The Youth Olympic Games has always been about more than sport and in Lausanne we have once again witnessed how the event provides the perfect platform for innovation and education," Mitchell, who will remain Acting President until a Swiss court case against Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah is resolved, said.

"Athletes have competed in many innovative sports events, providing a testing ground for their potential inclusion in future competitions. 

"We have seen pioneering sustainability initiatives that will leave a lasting legacy for the city and region."

Mitchell added: "We have seen how sport can educate and teach young people positive values and life skills that will equip them in their futures in and out of sport."

The acting ANOC head also highlighted the increased number of athletes and National Olympic Committees which competed at the event, compared with the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics in Lillehammer.

Nearly 2,000 athletes - a 40 per cent increase on Lillehammer 2016 - participated at the Games, while eight more NOCs were present here than four years ago.

Twelve NOCs made their Winter Youth Olympic debuts at Lausanne 2020 - Albania, Azerbaijan, Ecuador, Haiti, Hong Kong, Kosovo, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, Thailand, Turkmenistan and Trinidad and Tobago.

Lausanne 2020 concluded with a short Closing Ceremony last night, bringing the curtain down on an event International Olympic Committee officials have consistently praised.