With an unforgettable Opening Ceremony featuring an array of K-pop stars and cultural performers, the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024 got underway in style today. The event was hosted simultaneously at the sold-out Gangneung Oval, with 4,500 spectators, plus athletes and other YOG stakeholders, and the fully booked PyeongChang Dome, with 4,300 people.
The ceremony revolved around the theme of “The Universe” and evoked the Gangwon 2024 slogan, “Grow Together, Shine Forever”, with inspiring performances telling the story of a young heroine, Wuri, who dreams of experiencing winter sports on an ice planet before becoming the brightest star of her own universe.
Addressing the 1,802 athletes from 78 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) who will be participating in these Games, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach invited them to enjoy their Olympic experience. “Dear young athletes: this is your moment,” he said. “You are following in the footsteps of sporting icons who made Olympic history right here at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018″.
“Now it is your turn. Give it your best at your first Olympic competition. Make new friends. Live the Olympic values. Respect yourself. Respect your competitors. Respect the rules. Enjoy your Olympic experience! This is your time – to grow together – and to shine forever!”
President Bach also paid tribute to the hospitality of the Republic of Korea, while again highlighting the links between Gangwon 2024 and PyeongChang 2018.
“Let us all thank our wonderful Korean hosts. Thank you, Korea, for giving this new generation of young athletes the stage to live their Olympic dream,” he said. “This is a true Olympic legacy.”
He continued: “Dear volunteers, this is also your moment to shine. Thank you, Korea! All of us – athletes, IOC Members, volunteers, members of the Organising Committee, officials, authorities, spectators – all of us will live the Olympic motto: Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together.
“It is now my great honour to invite the President of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Yoon Suk-yeol, to declare open these Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024.”
The Winter Youth Olympic Games build on the legacy of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. Seven out of the nine competition venues at these YOG were also used six years ago.
K-pop stars thrill local fans
In addition to welcoming the young athletes to Gangwon, the ceremony also celebrated Korean culture with a diverse line-up of artists, dancers and singers from the host nation. Newly formed boy band LUN8 and girl band Triple S both took to the stage at the Gangneung Oval, which also saw performances from renowned Korean rappers and hip-hop award winners Ash Island and Changmo, traditional Korean band Lennalchi, and celebrated dance crew Ambiguous Dance Company.
Meanwhile, fans at the PyeongChang Dome were able to enjoy live performances by Korean singer Taeyeon, Korean rappers Hwasa and BewhY, 1 Million Dance Studio, and Korea-based Filipino boy band Hori7on.
Flame of the future
As is customary, the Gangwon 2024 ceremony also featured traditional elements of Youth Olympic Opening Ceremonies, including a parade of the competing NOCs’ flags, the playing of the Olympic Anthem, and oaths taken by athletes, coaches and officials.
The Games were officially declared open by the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol. Afterwards, the time came for the much-anticipated lighting of the Youth Olympic cauldron.
A “digital cauldron” located outside the venue in Gangneung Olympic Park was also lit simultaneously, with the virtual LED flame set to provide a unique attraction for fans and visitors attending the Games.
Now, with the cauldron lit, the attention turns to the 1,802 young athletes who are set to shine across two weeks of sporting action, starting Saturday morning.
