The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games are held for 17 days from 9 to 25 February 2018 in PyeongChang, the Republic of Korea.
The 2018 Winter Olympics are officially known as the XXIII Olympic Winter Games.
It is the first time that South Korea had hosted the Winter Olympics.
The games feature 102 events in fifteen sports and around 2,952 athletes from 92 National Olympic Committees are expected to compete.
Last Winter Olympics were held in Russia Sochi 2014 and Canada Vancouver 2010.
PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games
2018 Winter Olympics is the international multi-sport event hosted by Pyeongchang, South Korea.
The county was selected as the Olympic host in July 2011, during the 123rd IOC Session in Durban, South Africa.
PyeongChang will be the stage for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and most snow sports.
The games feature 102 events in fifteen sports, with the addition of six new events to the Winter Olympic programme.
A huge number of 2,952 athletes from 92 National Olympic Committees are expected to compete in Pyeongchang, which is the largest number of athletes in the history of the Winter Olympic Games.
Moreover, some countries like Ecuador, Eritrea, Kosovo, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Singapore make their debut in winter games.
VISION
The world’s best athletes will compete on Asia’s center stage to launch New Horizons in winter sports and create a sustainable legacy for Gangwon Province and the Republic of Korea.
SLOGAN
Passion.Connected.
Passion.Connected. refers to a world in which everyone is connected with a shared passion for winter sports.
It refers to a world open to any generation anywhere, anytime, to open new horizons in the continued growth of winter sports.
‘Passion’ means a very strong feeling, affection and something one is fond of. It expresses the Olympic spirit and the warm-heartedness of Koreans.
‘Connected’ means to link, join, combine, bridge, and understand. PyeongChang is a place where all generations can participate and inspire each other anytime and anywhere through Korea’s innovative technology and cultural convergence.
EMBLEM
The emblem symbolizes a world open to everyone. It combines the image of ice and snow, winter sports stars (athletes), and people from all over the world, coming together in PyeongChang where heaven meets earth.
MASCOT: Soohorang and Bandabi
Soohorang, the mascot of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games took its motif from a white tiger, which has been long considered Korea’s guardian animal.
“Sooho”, meaning protection in Korean and “Rang” comes from the middle letter of “Ho-rang-i”, the Korean word for “Tiger”.
It is also the last letter of “Jeong-seon A-ri-rang”, a cherished traditional folk song of Gangwon Province, where the Games will be held.
Soohorang not only has a dauntless spirit and passion but also is a trustworthy friend who protects the athletes, spectators and all participants in the Olympic Games.
Bandabi is the official mascot of the 2018 Winter Paralympics. It is an Asiatic black bear, a bear native to the Korean peninsula.
The bear is symbolic of strong will and courage.
SPORTS
Athletes taking part in the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 will compete in 102 events in 15 sports disciplines.
The Games will be the first ever Olympic Winter Games with over 100 gold medals.
PyeongChang 2018 includes Six new events.
- Snowboard Big Air (men, women)
- Speed Skating Mass Start (men, women)
- Curling Mixed Doubles
- Alpine Skiing Team Event
PyeongChang 2018 will also be the stage for the greatest number of women’s and mixed events in the history of Olympic Winter Games.
VENUES
PyeongChang Olympic Stadium
All competition venues of PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games are located within 30 minutes’ driving distance from the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium.
Events at PyeongChang Mountain Cluster
- PyeongChang Olympic Stadium
- Alpensia Biathlon Centre
- Biathlon
- Alpensia Cross-Country Skiing Centre
- Cross-Country SkiingNordic Combined
- Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre
- Nordic Combined Ski Jumping Snowboard
- Olympic Sliding Centre
- BobsleighLugeSkeleton
- Phoenix Snow Park
- Freestyle SkiingSnowboard
- Jeongseon Alpine Centre
- Alpine Skiing
- Yongpyong Alpine Centre
- Alpine Skiing
Gangneung Ice Arena
Gangneung Coastal Cluster is located on the east coast of Korea, about 20 minutes east from Pyeongchang.
Coastal Cluster is where all of the venues for the indoor ice rink events for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics are located at.
Events at Gangneung Coastal Cluster
- Gangneung Hockey Center – Ice Hockey
- Gangneung Oval – Speed Skating
- Gangneung Ice Arena – Figure Skating, Short Track Speed Skating
- Gangneung Curling Center – Curling
- Kwangdong Hockey Center – Ice Hockey
MEDALS
Korean culture is at the heart of the design.
Hangeul, the Korean alphabet and the foundation of Korean culture – has been incorporated into the design of the medals.
The official slogan of the PyeongChang 2018 Games – ‘Passion Connected’ – also embodies this belief and the Olympic values; excellence, friendship, and respect.
The two-dimensional consonants have been turned into three-dimensional figures and cut into cylindrical forms to complete the design that shows the sporting discipline and event.
The front of the medal bears dynamic diagonal lines symbolizing both the history of the Olympics and the determination of the participants.
The back of the medal features the sports discipline and event alongside the Games’ emblem.
The ribbon from which the medal hangs is created using the traditional Gapsa textile of Korea.
The light teal and light red ribbon are embroidered with Hangeul patterns and other designs to represent the delicate and refined beauty of Korea.
Information Source: PyeongChang2018 Official website and Wikipedia (2018 Winter Olympics)
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