Gangwon 2024 G-100: Torch Tour Starts in major cities
Date Oct 11, 2023
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- On October 11, the 80-day Torch Tour begins with the torch departure declaration at Seoul Plaza
- Beginning with the Torch Tour, raising public interest and fostering an atmosphere of participation
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST), together with the Organising Committee of the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024 (YOGOC) and Gangwon State Government (Gangwon State), will host a “Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games (opening on January 19, 2024, Gangwon 2024) G-100 Commemorative Event” at Seoul Plaza on October 11, at 7:00 p.m. The Ministry will use this event as an opportunity to expedite preparations for the Games and actively engage in various promotional activities to foster heightened public interest and participation.
This event marks the beginning of a successful countdown to Gangwon 2024, which is 100 days away, and celebrates the start of the torch relay that will begin in Seoul and extend across the nation. MCST Minister YU In Chon, YOGOC Co-Presidents JIN Jong Oh and LEE Sang Hwa, Secretary General KIM Chul Min, and Gangwon State Governor KIM Jin Tae will attend. Gangwon 2024 honorary ambassadors KIM Yuna, YUN Sung Bin, KIM Ye Ri, and PARK Jae Min will also be present.
The torch, first lit in Greece on October 3, will be ignited for the first time in Seoul after arriving in the country. The lighting ceremony will be attended by five athletes: PARK Ji Won, LEE Jong Won, YANG Seung Joo, YOUN Seo Jin, and SO Jae Hwan, along with promotional ambassador YUN Sung Bin. In particular, SO Jae Hwan, who achieved three titles at the national championships and is a promising bobsleigh athlete, and YOUN Seo Jin, a youth national representative in figure skating, hold special significance as participants in Gangwon 2024.
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Torchbearers |
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▸ PARK Ji Won (born in 1996): Short track athlete, 1st place overall at the 2022–23 International Skating Union (ISU) Short Track Speed Skating World Cup ▸ LEE Jong Won (born in 2006): Aspiring track and field athlete from Kyungbock High School in Seoul ▸ YANG Seung Joo (born in 2007): Aspiring track and field athlete from Guro High School in Seoul ▸ YOUN Seo Jin (born in 2008): Youth national representative in figure skating ▸ SO Jae Hwan (born in 2006): Youth national representative in bobsleigh ▸ YUN Sung Bin (born in 1994): Honorary ambassador for Gangwon 2024 and a skeleton medalist at PyeongChang 2018 ※ Torchbearers are recommended by the host city of each torch event. |
The ignited torch, along with the declaration of its commencement in Seoul, is scheduled to visit various major cities in South Korea and 18 cities and counties in Gangwon State over the course of 80 days. The schedule includes stops in Busan on October 14, Sejong on October 25, Jeju on October 28, and Gwangju on November 4, among others.
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Schedule |
City |
Note |
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October 11 |
Seoul (Seoul Plaza) |
Announcement of torch departure |
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October 14 |
Busan (Busan Citizens Park) |
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October 25 |
Sejong (Sejong Lake Park) |
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October 28 |
Jeju (Jeju Citizen Welfare Town Square) |
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November 4 |
Gwangju (May 18 Democracy Square) |
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November 7 – December 28 |
18 cities and counties in Gangwon State, including Sokcho |
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December 29 – January 18, 2024 |
Special tour |
Visiting disadvantaged people in society |
Gangwon 2024 honorary ambassador KIM Yuna will introduce the event’s catchphrase, “Shine Together,” and convey the meaning and goals associated with the tagline during this commemorative event.
A sports festival that enriches the event atmosphere with K-pop performances and unites culture
Furthermore, this commemorative event will promote the concept of a sports festival united through culture, featuring K-pop performances. Before starting the event, the rock band Crying Nut will take the stage to set the mood. After that, Gangwon 2024 honorary ambassador and dancer KIM Ye Ri, a dance crew, and a student dance team from Gangwon State will present a joint celebratory performance featuring the event’s theme song, “We Go High.” In addition, popular rapper LEE Young Ji and K-pop groups RIIZE and ITZY will further ignite the atmosphere with their performances. The celebratory performances will be broadcast live through the KBS N Sports channel.
Asia’s first Winter Youth Olympic Games, Gangwon 2024, staging in January next year
Gangwon 2024, organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is set to take place in Gangwon State from January 19 to February 1, 2024. The event will feature approximately 2,600 participants, including over 1,800 athletes aged 15 to 18 from more than 70 countries. Following PyeongChang 2018, this marks the first time an Asian country hosted the Winter Youth Olympic Games, further solidifying South Korea’s position as a hub for winter sports.
Minister YU In Chon said, “Gangwon 2024 will serve as a platform where young people from around the world can come together and collaborate toward a better world. We hope that this event will not only be a success but also be remembered and celebrated by people worldwide. We ask for the continued interest and support of the entire nation as we diligently prepare for the event in the remaining period leading up to G-50 (50 days before the event), G-10 (10 days before the event), and the opening ceremony.”