The torch that will illuminate Gangwon 2024 began its journey on October 3 with an 80-day tour across 23 cities in Korea, starting with the ceremonial lighting in Greece

On October 3, the torch for the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics (Gangwon 2024; January 19 to February 1, 2024) was lit at the historic Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, Greece, where the first Olympic Games were held. The torch lighting ceremony unfolded in the presence of prominent figures, including Spyros Capralos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC), JIN Jong Oh, Co-President of the Organizing Committee of the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024 (YOGOC), and Greek citizens, marking the beginning of an epic journey toward the unveiling of Gangwon 2024 to the world.

The South Korean delegation participating in the torch lighting ceremony in Greece comprises 15 participants, including Co-President of the YOGOC JIN Jong Oh, representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister PARK Bo Gyoon, MCST), the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KOC), and officials from the Korean Embassy in Greece. The sequence of events for the torch lighting and handover ceremony proceeded as follows: the torch lighting ceremony, followed by the Torch Tour, and finally, the torch handover. Representing South Korea in the Torch Tour are female freestyle skier YOON Shin Ee (16 years old, Bongpyeong High School) and male figure skater KIM Hyun Gyeom (17 years old, Hankwang High School).

 “Journey of Solidarity” toward a radiant future, the theme of the Gangwon 2024 Torch Tour

The Gangwon 2024 Torch Tour’s theme embodies the spirit of “Embarking on a journey of the Torch Tour toward a radiant future, together with youth who possess dreams and passion, united through sports,” with the slogan “Journey of Solidarity.” Unlike the Olympic Games (OG), the Torch Tour of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Gangwon adopts a different approach. Instead of runners traversing the roads, torch-lighting ceremonies will take place in 18 cities and provinces, including Seoul, Busan, Sejong, Jeju, Gwangju, and Gangwon, where torchbearers will ignite the torch at designated pedestals. Among the 109 torchbearers, 82 are young individuals, and before each torch lighting ceremony, various programs, including Olympic sports experiences and Olympic OX quizzes, will engage participants, highlighting the distinctive character of the YOG.

In celebration of Hangeul, a source of national pride for Korea, 109 torchbearers have been selected, symbolizing the significance of Hangeul Day, observed on October 9. The diverse group of torchbearers represent various backgrounds and age groups, including young athletes from the Torch Tour regions, persons with disabilities, South Korean veterans of the Korean War, athletes from countries benefiting from sports Official Development Assistance (ODA), teachers, and elders. They will carry the torch’s flame across the nation, promoting Korea’s rich cultural heritage and beauty to youth worldwide.

Upon the arrival of the flame, lit in Greece, at Incheon International Airport on October 8 (Sun), an on-site event will be held. Subsequently, on G-100 Day, marking 100 days before the competition, there will be a torch departure ceremony at Seoul Plaza. From there, the Torch Tour will embark on an 80-day journey, making stops in 23 cities. Over the remaining 20 days, a “Special Torch Tour” will directly visit marginalized communities in four host cities: Gangneung, Pyeongchang, Jeongseon, and Hoengseong.

JANG Mi Ran, the Second Vice Minister of the MCST, stated, “As we announce the start of Gangwon 2024 with the torch lighting, we will thoroughly prepare for the competition in the coming days, ensuring that future generations of youth from around the world can create lasting memories in Korea. We invite everyone to take an interest in and participate in Gangwon 2024.”