The 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics Torch Arrives... “Festival of Youth Around the World”
Chairman Jin Jong-oh will enter the country carrying the torch lit in Athens and begin a nationwide torch tour starting at Seoul Plaza from the 11th.
The 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games torch, lit in Athens, Greece, will arrive in Korea, the host city, and continue its domestic torch tour.
Jin Jong-oh, chairman of the Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics organizing committee, returned to Korea through Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 8th carrying the torch lit in Athens.
The torch, which was lit on the 3rd at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, Greece, where the first Olympic Games were held, entered Korea on this day through a relay. 카지노사이트
The torch held by Chairman Jin Jong-oh was carried by four Winter Youth Olympics supporters waiting at the arrival hall, and Chairman Jin, who was in charge of carrying the Olympic flame all the way to Korea, smiled brightly with a flower necklace around his neck.
Supporters placed the flame on a previously prepared stand, and it continued to shine and sparkle.
Chairman Jin Jong-oh, freestyle skiing women's moguls national team member Yoon Shin-i (Bongpyeong High School), and figure skating men's singles national team member Kim Hyeon-gyeom (Han Gyeong High School), who participated as relay runners carrying the torch in person from Greece, did not hide their expectations for the Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics.
Chairman Jin Jong-oh said proudly, "In a meaningful region called Greece, we personally brought the torch to Korea for the Youth Winter Olympics, just like the adult Olympics, and safely brought it to Korea."
He then added, "Seeing athletes Yoon Shin-i and Kim Hyun-gyeom running with the torch in person was a dream for the youth."
“I felt like the journey for hope had begun,” he said.
He continued, “It is smaller than the Adult Olympics, but as all youth from around the world participate, I hope it will serve as an opportunity to become a festival rather than a ranking of the Olympics.”
He added, “As the country actively supports K-culture, it is an opportunity for everyone to enjoy together.”
“We are working hard to prepare for the Olympics to be as successful as possible,” he said.
Yoon Shin-i said, “I had a great experience carrying the torch in Greece,” and pledged, “I will take that energy and achieve good results at the upcoming Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics.”
Kim Hyun-gyeom also said, “This competition feels more special as I personally ran as a torch runner in Greece,” and added, “I am happy that it has served as a great motivation for my future career as a player.”
He said, “I think there will be a lot of tension as it is a big competition called the Olympics, but I hope it will be a competition where athletes can show off their skills to the fullest as they have worked hard without being nervous.”
On this day, Mungcho, the mascot of the event, also appeared at the torch arrival site to greet the torch relay.
Meanwhile, the torch will be moved to Gangwon Pyeongchang Fire Station's Daegwallyeong 119 Safety Center and placed there, and after the torch tour ends, it will be safely stored until the end of the competition.
Starting on the 11th, the 100th day before the Games, the torch will be announced at Seoul Plaza and begin a torch tour that will tour 23 cities for 80 days.
After the torch tour ends, a 'special torch tour' will continue for the remaining 20 days, directly visiting the underprivileged in the four host cities (Gangneung, Pyeongchang, Jeongseon, and Hoengseong).
The theme of the Gangwon 2024 Torch Tour is ‘Going on a torch tour towards a bright future by uniting with youth with dreams and passion through sports,’ and the motto is ‘Journey of Solidarity.’
Unlike the adult Olympic torch relay, the Gangwon 2024 torch tour does not involve a relay of runners running on the road.
In 18 cities and provinces, including Seoul, Busan, Sejong, Jeju, Gwangju, and Gangwon, only the lighting ceremony will be held where torch runners light the torch ignition stand.
Among the 109 runners, 82 are teenagers, and before the torch lighting ceremony, programs such as Olympic game experience and Olympic OX quizzes will be held for participants to reveal the unique characteristics of the Youth Olympics.
The number of torch ignitors, 109, was chosen to commemorate October 9, Hangul Day.
The torch runners included people from various fields and all age groups, including sports dreamers, people with disabilities, patriots, athletes from sports Official Development Assistance (ODA) beneficiary countries, teachers, and the elderly.
Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Mi-ran said, "As we announce the start of Gangwon 2024 with the painting of the torch, we will thoroughly prepare for the competition during the remaining period so that youth, future generations around the world, can create lifelong memories in Korea."
The 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games, where youth from around the world will share friendly competition and friendship, will open on January 19th next year and be held in Pyeongchang, Gangneung, Jeongseon, and Hoengseong in Gangwon-do until February 1st.