2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea
The 2018 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXIII Olympic Winter Games, were held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, from February…
The 2018 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXIII Olympic Winter Games, were held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, from February 9 to February 25, 2018.
Bidding and Preparation
Bidding Process: Pyeongchang was awarded the 2018 Winter Olympics on July 6, 2011, during the 123rd IOC Session in Durban, South Africa. This was Pyeongchang’s third bid after unsuccessful attempts for the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics.
Infrastructure and Investment: South Korea invested heavily in infrastructure and facilities, including new sports venues, transportation networks, and accommodations. The estimated cost for hosting the games was around $12.9 billion.
Venues
Pyeongchang Mountain Cluster: Located in the Alpensia Resort area, this cluster hosted most of the snow events:
Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre (ski jumping, Nordic combined)
Alpensia Biathlon Centre
Alpensia Cross-Country Centre
Yongpyong Alpine Centre (alpine skiing)
Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium (opening and closing ceremonies)
Gangneung Coastal Cluster: Located in Gangneung, this cluster hosted the ice sports:
Gangneung Ice Arena (figure skating, short track speed skating)
Gangneung Curling Centre
Gangneung Hockey Centre
Kwandong Hockey Centre
Gangneung Oval (speed skating)
Opening Ceremony
Date and Venue: The opening ceremony took place on February 9, 2018, at the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium.
Highlights: The ceremony celebrated Korean culture and heritage, with performances highlighting traditional music, dance, and art. A significant moment was the joint entrance of athletes from North and South Korea under a unified flag, symbolizing peace and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula.
Sports and Events
New Events: The 2018 Winter Olympics featured six new events, including big air snowboarding, mixed doubles curling, mass start speed skating, and team events in alpine skiing.
Participation: Approximately 2,922 athletes from 92 countries competed in 102 events across 15 sports.
Notable Performances
Medal Leaders: Norway topped the medal table with a total of 39 medals (14 gold, 14 silver, 11 bronze), followed by Germany and Canada.
Athlete Highlights:
Marit Bjørgen: The Norwegian cross-country skier became the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time, with five medals in Pyeongchang, bringing her career total to 15.
Ester Ledecká: The Czech athlete made history by winning gold in both alpine skiing (super-G) and snowboarding (parallel giant slalom).
Yuzuru Hanyu: The Japanese figure skater successfully defended his Olympic title, becoming the first male skater to do so since 1952.
Chloe Kim: The American snowboarder won gold in the women’s halfpipe at the age of 17, becoming one of the youngest Olympic champions.
Controversies
Russian Doping Scandal: Following revelations of state-sponsored doping, the IOC banned Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics. However, clean Russian athletes were allowed to compete under the Olympic flag as “Olympic Athletes from Russia” (OAR).
Weather Challenges: Harsh weather conditions, including strong winds and cold temperatures, led to the rescheduling of several events and impacted athletes’ performances.
Closing Ceremony
Date and Venue: The closing ceremony took place on February 25, 2018, at the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium.
Highlights: The ceremony featured cultural performances, including K-pop acts, and the handover of the Olympic flag to Beijing, the host city for the 2022 Winter Olympics. The Olympic flame was extinguished, marking the end of the games.
Legacy
Economic Impact: The economic impact of the games was mixed, with significant investments in infrastructure and tourism. The long-term benefits of these investments continue to be assessed.
Sports Development: The Pyeongchang Winter Olympics contributed to the development of winter sports in South Korea and increased interest in winter sports across Asia.
Peace and Diplomacy: The games served as a platform for diplomatic engagement between North and South Korea, leading to subsequent discussions and summits aimed at easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Advertisement:
- Japanese (Publication Language)
- English (Publication Language)
- 88 Pages - 04/07/2020 (Publication Date) - Giles (Publisher)
- Limited Edition, Numbered XXXX / 2018 Ever Made
- PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Edition
- Blue Dial with Stainless Steel Case on Blue and Red Rubber Strap
- Oval PyeongChang SKYLINE Olympics 2018 (south korea games 18) Metal 0.75" Lapel Hat Pin Tie Tack Pinback
- Made of metal with the resin-topped design shown. Pin is approximately 0.75" (1.9cm) in diameter.
- Makes a great gift or collectible item.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Hill, Nick (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Exhibition Quality 8" x 10" Photograph
- Professionally Produced in State-of-the-Art Photographic Lab
- Created From the Original Negative
We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Comments