Winter Youth Olympic Games 2024 in Gangwon, Korea

Florida: Real And Imagined

Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, Korea

1. The 4th Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, Korea

The upcoming 4th Winter Youth Olympic Games are set to captivate audiences in the province of Gangwon, Republic of Korea, from January 19th to February 1st. Building on the success of hosting the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, Gangwon aims to create a lasting legacy by engaging young people through pre-event, during, and post-event activities. The vision for Gangwon 2024 is to foster peaceful coexistence and unity through sports, driving positive change in the realms of sport, culture, and education. Leveraging facilities from PyeongChang 2018 ensures a cost-efficient and sustainable Youth Olympic Games, offering participating athletes the chance to compete at renowned venues.

2. The Youth Olympic Games Origin and Objective

Initiated by former IOC President Jacques Rogge, the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) were unanimously approved in Guatemala City in July 2007. These games aim to inspire global youth to participate in sports, promote Olympic values, and disseminate the ideals of Olympism—a philosophy emphasizing the balanced development of body, will, and mind, integrating sport with culture and education.

3. Olympic Sports at Gangwon 2024

The Youth Olympic Games will feature 15 Olympic sports, including Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, Snowboarding, and more. Athletes aged 15 to 18 (as of December 31 in the YOG year) will compete, with specific age groups determined by each sport's International Federation in collaboration with the IOC.

4. Medal Design Competition Winner

The winner of the Medal Design Competition for Gangwon 2024 is Dante Akira Uwai from Brazil, aged 27. His winning design, titled "A Sparkling Future," embodies the theme of growth and unity. The design uses geometric shapes to represent growth, with polished finishes symbolizing the desire for positive change in the world.

5. Theme Song: "We Go High"

The official theme song for Gangwon 2024, titled "We Go High," intends to express the growth and joy experienced by young participants. The lyrics encourage young athletes to believe in themselves, strive for their goals, and contribute to creating a peaceful future.

6. Beyond Sports: Let's Play Winter Festival

In addition to sporting competitions, Gangwon 2024 will host the Let's Play Winter festival, providing off-field activities for athletes and fans. Festival sites across the region will offer winter sports engagement, cultural performances, skate nights with renowned Korean DJs, and various sports activities, ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience with free tickets for all events except the Opening Ceremony.

7. 30 Things To Know About Gangwon 2024

Here are 10 highlights:

• Gangwon 2024 Dates: January 19 to February 1, 2024.
• Opening Ceremony: Simultaneously at Gangneung Oval and PyeongChang Dome, featuring K-pop stars.
• Schedule: Download the games' schedule at https://olympics.com/en/gangwon-2024/schedule.
• Disciplines: 15 disciplines across seven sports with gender equality.
• New Events: Introduction of new events, including a mixed team Nordic combined competition.
• Venues: Outdoor and indoor events across Alpensia Sports Park, Gangneung Olympic Park, Welli Hilli Ski Resort, and Jeongseon High 1 Ski Resort.
• Ticketing Information: Free tickets for all events except the Opening Ceremony, emphasizing inclusivity.
• Legacy: Leveraging pre-existing venues and green transport infrastructure from PyeongChang 2018.
• Moongcho the Mascot: Represents unity, born of a snowball fight between PyeongChang 2018 mascots.
• Star Ambassadors: Sporting and cultural icons, including Yun Sung-bin, Choi Min-jeong, and Yuna Kim, spreading Olympic values.