"K-Culture and Sports Unite Youth Cultural Festival" [2024 Gangwon]②

Joint Chairman Jin Jong-oh "I Want to Share Unforgettable Memories"
Olympian Talk Concert, K-Culture Festival Held
Direct Participation in Immersive Education... Fully Prepared Despite the Cold

Jin Jong-oh (44), a hero of Korean shooting, first participated in an international competition at the 2002 World Championships held in Lahti, Finland. After more than twenty hours on a plane, near the shooting range, there was a ski jumping stadium. He looked at the steep slope and the jump platform with a curious expression for a long time.

"It was a fresh experience. I was curious about how athletes fly straight through the sky and land. I vividly remember the local culture and customs. I don't remember anything about how I shot the gun (laughs)."

The experiences of his youth serve as nourishment for his role as co-chairman of the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games. He prioritizes preparing programs that convey memories and emotions to the youth. Chairman Jin said, "I want to make it a youth cultural festival that unites through K-culture and sports."

The concretized programs are mainly threefold. First is the festival site. Inside and outside the stadium, various enjoyable activities such as sports, cultural experiences, events, performing arts, exhibitions, and education are provided. The hub is the Gangneung Hockey Center. Every night, the skating rink transforms into the stage for 'DJ Skate Night.' During the day, short track speed skater Choi Min-jung and figure skater Park So-yeon will serve as one-point lesson coaches.

Second is the 'Olympian Talk Concert' held on the 28th of next month at the Pyeongchang Olympic Memorial Hall. Ambassadors of the Games, Kim Yuna, Yoon Sung-bin, and IOC member Yoo Seung-min will listen to and counsel the concerns of youth. Chairman Jin said, "We are organizing it as a place for open communication to promote healthy mental and physical growth."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Third is the 'K-Culture Festival' held on the 27th of next month at Pyeongchang-dong and the following day at the Gangneung Kwandong University Ice Hockey Center. A large number of K-pop artists will be invited to present a spectacular stage. Chairman Jin added, "The Gangwon Provincial Dance Company, Gangneung City Choir, and the 2nd Army Taekwondo Demonstration Team will also perform to add excitement." He continued, "We want to provide unforgettable memories by operating activities, sports experiences, cultural experiences, education, exhibitions, and cultural performances together for the youth."

The series of programs perfectly align with the Games' vision of "sports that bring joy and growth, and a peaceful future opened through coexistence and harmony." Youth can build friendships and experience Olympic values such as inclusion and reconciliation. Chairman Jin will also be at the forefront of immersive education. He plans to share the know-how he acquired as a national representative while making eye contact with the youth.

"It's a fairly large-scale event, but most participants will be nervous due to lack of experience. I plan to teach effective conditioning methods to help them compete healthily. I also intend to provide anti-doping education. In winter, the low temperatures reduce the body's resistance, making it easy to catch colds or respiratory diseases. If medications are taken incorrectly, misunderstandings can arise."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Being from Chuncheon, he knows the harsh cold of Gangwon better than anyone. Therefore, he has made thorough preparations early on. Volunteers are provided with ski jackets, ski pants, inner jackets, hats (beanies), gloves, socks, scarves, hot packs, and knee blankets, and outdoor workers such as those on snow-related tasks are additionally given insulated work boots. Heating rest areas for spectators, consisting of shade tents (MQ tents), far-infrared heaters, and chairs, have been installed throughout the venues. Chairman Jin said, "We carefully manage by supplying hot drinks like tea and coffee frequently and operating two heating buses (45 seats)."

He plans to watch the competitions whenever possible. The event he is most looking forward to is biathlon, a combination of cross-country skiing and shooting, known as the winter modern pentathlon. Six high school students, including Jonathan and Park Min-yong, will participate from Korea. Chairman Jin laughed, "Since it is a sport combined with shooting, I am naturally interested. I hope the athletes showcase high-level performances and introduce this unfamiliar sport to the public. It would be even better if our athletes win medals."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.