One year to PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

South Korea on Thursday (February 9) held a ceremony marking one year until the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. 

Pyeongchang will stage Asia's first Winter Games outside Japan and kick off an Asian Olympic cycle that reflects the region's growing influence on world sport with Tokyo hosting the 2020 Summer Games and Beijing holding the 2022 Winter Olympics.

"Until the day of the Olympic flame is carried to the host city of Pyeongchang, let us all lend our hands in ensuring the success of the Games. Lastly I wish to ask you for even more support and interest in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, which is just one year ahead of us. It's Pyeongchang now. Thank you." 

- Hwang Kyo-ahn, South Korean Prime Minister and acting president

"Pyeongchang is ready to welcome the world and to showcase the best of the Republic of Korea. It will be an occasion for athletes and sport fans from around the world to experience the wonderful hospitality and unique culture of Korea." 

- Gunilla Lindberg, Chair of the International Olympic Committee's Coordination

Located in the mountainous Gangwon-do Province, 180 kilometers east of Seoul, Pyeongchang failed in bids for the 2010 and 2014 Winter Games. Now South Korean people attending the ceremony expressed expectations for the winter event next year.

"I hope (the Olympics) will be a global festival for all citizens of the world that can be enjoyed by everyone, even those with disability."

- Park Chang-ho 

"As an opportunity to introduce our country to the world, I hope the PyeongChang Olympics to be held successfully. Go!" 

- Cho Chang-sook

"I look forward to the successful hosting of the Olympics, and I have a great expectation since we have one year left. I hope none of the athletes to get injured in this Olympics, and perform their best as prepared.“ 

- Shin Kyung-jin, college student

South Korean 2010 Winter Olympics gold medalist and now honorable ambassador for the 2018 Games, Kim Yuna, demonstrated how to book a ticket for the upcoming games as online ticket sales just began on Thursday (Feb. 9). Kim told reporters that the athletes would be starting to feel the nerves with the countdown starting in earnest.

"The athletes probably are the ones who are feeling nervous the most right now, at this moment. Please know that all athletes from both popular and unpopular winter sports events are training very hard for a remaining year, so it'll be great to have many of you visit Pyeongchang and cheer them up."

- Kim Yuna, honorable ambassador for the 2018 Games

Taking place 30 years after Seoul claimed its place on the global sporting stage by hosting the 1988 Summer Games, the PyeongChang Winter Olympics will see South Korea join an elite group of countries to complete the 'hosting grand slam'. Only Japan, Germany, Italy and France have hosted both Winter and Summer Games, a soccer World Cup and a world athletics championships. The United States will also complete the set when it stages track and field's global showpiece event in 2021. 

The Games are scheduled to take place from Feb. 9-25 next year.

By Alexandra Taseva
Video: Friday Chopstics

Director: Emiliya Kircheva

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