Gangneung, Korea, January 18, 2024: The stage is set for the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024: the athletes have arrived, the Youth Olympic Village is operating at full capacity and the venues are ready for the competitions.
This was emphasised by the Gangwon 2024 Organising Committee during its report to the IOC Executive Board on Thursday, January 18 - the eve of the opening ceremony in Gangneung, Korea.
The IOC EB applauded the efforts made ahead of the fourth edition of the Winter YOG and the first to be held in Asia. The Winter YOG will open on Friday, January 19 and run to February 1.
Coordination Commission Chair and IOC Member Zhang Hong of China said: “Six years after the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, the venues from those Games are not just a great legacy but also the perfect backdrop for all participating athletes.”
Of the nine venues being used for Gangwon 2024, seven were also used during the Olympic Winter Games 2018.
Zhang continued: “Thanks to the great collaboration throughout the preparation, we look forward to an exciting opening ceremony tomorrow (Friday), where Korea and young people will take to the main stage.”
Kim Chul-min, Secretary General of the Gangwon 2024 YOGOC, added: “It is a great honour that we celebrate today the progress made here in Gangwon – a testament to the Youth Olympic Games’ commitment to engaging youth worldwide.
“Gangwon 2024 is a great platform for young people to share their passion and dreams, create opportunities and learn from each other.”
Organisers informed the IOC EB that 320,000 tickets had been reserved.