Wando-gun Begins Grand Journey with 'Torch Lighting' at Jeollanam-do Sports Festival

Published 11 May.2023 17:18(KST)

Jangdo Cheonghaejin Historic Site Flower Gathering and Relay Torch Ceremony Conducted in 12 Eup and Myeon Areas

The torch lighting ceremony marking the start of the ‘62nd Jeollanam-do Sports Festival,’ which unites 2 million Jeollanam-do residents, took place at 9 a.m. on the 11th at the Cheonghaejin Historic Site on Jangdo Island, Wando County.

Wando County, Jeollanam-do, announced that the 62nd Jeollanam-do Sports Festival, held for the first time in the county since its establishment in 1896, will embark on a four-day grand journey from the 12th to the 15th.

It was collected at the Jangdo Cheonghaejin Historic Site in Wando County. <br>[Photo by Wando County]

It was collected at the Jangdo Cheonghaejin Historic Site in Wando County.
[Photo by Wando County]

The lit torch was transferred from the main Seonnyeo to Shin Woo-cheol, Wando County Governor (Chief Ritual Officer), Heo Gung-hee, Chairman of Wando County Council (Assistant Ritual Officer), and Kim Jeong-seon, Wando County Education Director (Final Ritual Officer), and then to the first torchbearer, Choi Kyung-chul, President of the Wando County Sports Council. It was moved to the torch relay vehicle, the Jonghwa car, to be carried over a 261.4 km route by runners, vehicles, and ships.

The torch relay is divided into vehicle relay, runner relay, and ship relay. The runner relay consists of one main runner, one assistant runner, and eight escort runners, forming a team of 10 runners. They will tour 12 towns and townships and hold a torch placement ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on the 11th in front of Wando County Office Square.

On the day of the opening ceremony, the 12th, the torch departure ceremony will be held around 4:30 p.m. in front of the county office square, and the final relay and lighting will be performed by four athletes who have brought honor to Wando at the Wando County Public Stadium.

The 62nd Jeollanam-do Sports Festival, under the slogan ‘Jeonnam Sports Festival united in the clean sea of Wando,’ will feature about 7,200 athletes and officials from 22 cities and counties across the province competing fiercely in a total of 24 events (22 official, 1 demonstration, 1 exhibition) at Wando County Public Stadium and various event venues.