Yoon Declares Opening of Gangwon Youth Olympic Games... "A Festival of Solidarity for Youth"

"Praying for the Successful Hosting of Gangwon 2024"

President Yoon Suk-yeol declared the opening of the '2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games' on the 19th.

At the Gangwon 2024 opening ceremony, held simultaneously at the Gangneung Speed Skating Oval and Pyeongchang Dome, President Yoon took the podium and said, "I hereby declare the opening of the 4th Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games."

The opening ceremony was attended by Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and others. Skeleton gold medalist from the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, athlete Yun Sung-bin, was in charge of the torch relay.

Earlier, President Yoon met with President Bach at the Gangwon 2024 reception held in Gangneung for a cordial talk.

The reception was attended by 'Figure Skating Queen' Kim Yuna, IOC member Yoo Seung-min, Choi Jong-gu, Chairperson of the Gangwon 2024 Organizing Committee, and Lee Ki-heung, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In his welcoming speech at the reception, President Yoon said, "The Olympics and sports heal conflicts and unite the world," adding, "Young athletes from around the world and future generations will proudly compete under the Olympic rings and gain valuable experiences."

He continued, "It will be a festival where youth from different countries and diverse backgrounds compete splendidly, interact, and build solidarity."

He also said, "Gangwon Province has the experience of successfully hosting the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and possesses abundant infrastructure," adding, "The youth participating in the Games will be able to fully demonstrate their skills in a place where the passion of former Olympic champions breathes."

President Yoon added, "Gangwon Province boasts beautiful natural environments and rich cultural infrastructure, and during the Games, you will also be able to fully enjoy unique K-Culture programs," expressing confidence that "everyone will be deeply captivated by the charm of Gangwon."

He then said, "Let us all pray together for the successful hosting of Gangwon 2024," and shouted the Gangwon 2024 motto, "'Grow Together, Shine Forever.'"

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