The fourth edition of the Winter Youth Olympics is set to open in Gangneung, South Korea, marking the first time the event will be held in Asia. With the eyes of the winter sports world on Gangwon Province, this year’s competition will showcase 1,803 athletes from 79 countries, making it the largest Winter Youth Olympics ever. Spanning 15 disciplines across seven sports, the event will run from January 19 to February 1. South Korea will have the largest delegation with 102 athletes.
Athletes between the ages of 15 and 18 will compete in a variety of events, including ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, and more. While there is no official medal race at the Youth Olympics, medals will still be awarded to the top three finishers in each category. Several venues from the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics will be used for the youth event, with Gangneung hosting ice events and Pyeongchang hosting skiing, biathlon, and sliding events.
The opening ceremony for the Winter Youth Olympics will take place in Gangneung and Pyeongchang simultaneously. The event will center around a fictional character named Wuri, a girl from Gangwon Province who dreams of becoming an astronaut. The ceremony will feature a captivating show depicting Wuri’s journey, with performances by amateur dancers from Gangwon and rising K-pop acts.
Spectators can attend all events for free, with over 350,000 tickets already claimed. To secure tickets, visitors can obtain free vouchers online at gangwon2024.com. This inclusive approach aims to make the Winter Youth Olympics accessible to as many people as possible.
In addition to the participating countries from previous editions, five nations will make their Winter Youth Olympics debut: Algeria, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. Notably, this will be Tunisia’s first Winter Games, both senior and youth.
The Winter Youth Olympics not only showcase young talent in winter sports but also emphasize friendship and education through sport. This approach encourages cooperation and understanding among diverse cultures and nations. As Gangwon Province hosts this prestigious event, the world eagerly awaits the thrilling competitions and inspiring displays of sportsmanship that lie ahead.
