Sidney Crosby to serve as 'ambassador' for Winter Youth Olympics in Austria

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby warms in Montreal, on November 26, 2011. Crosby is out indefinitely with concussion-like symptoms, Monday Dec. 12, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

LAUSANNE, Switzerland - Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is lending his support to the first Winter Youth Olympics.

The IOC says the Canadian star was chosen as the fifth and final "ambassador" for the Games, which will take place in Innsbruck, Austria, from Jan. 13-22.

Crosby will not be at the Games.

The other ambassadors are figure skater Kim Yu-na, Alpine skiers Lindsey Vonn and Benjamin Raich and freestyle skier Kevin Rolland.

Crosby scored the winning goal for Canada in overtime of the gold-medal game against the United States at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Crosby says "I have always tried to lead by example and be a positive role model for people."

The Youth Games will include more than 1,000 athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 competing in seven sports.