Gangwon 2024: Yuna Kim reveals mascot Moongcho at event to celebrate one year to go

Today (19 January), a number of symbols of the upcoming Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games were revealed at a ceremony to mark one year to go at Yongpyeong Resort in PyeongChang.

The event, which marks the countdown to Gangwon 2024, was also staged as an opener for the 2023 Winter Korea Festival Day, which aims to promote the Visit Korea Year of 2023/24.

The Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games will take place in Gangneung City as well as the provinces of PyeongChang, Jeongseon and Hoengseong from 19 January to 1 February 2024, with 1,900 athletes – 950 women and 950 men – from more than 70 countries participating.

The ceremony began with a message from IOC President Thomas Bach wearing a sweatshirt with the slogan “Grow Together, Shine Forever” printed on the chest.

Gangwon 2024 ambassador Yuna Kim, General Secretary of the Organising Committee Kim Cheolmin, Chairman of the PyeongChang 2018 Legacy Foundation Yoo Seungmin, and Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Lee Kee Heung were also present at the ceremony.

Created by designer Park Suyeon, Gangwon 2024 mascot Moongcho was born of a snowball that PyeongChang 2018 mascots Soohorang and Bandabi played with during their snowball fights. The mascot was chosen from no fewer than 601 candidates that were submitted during a nationwide contest.

Read more: Meet Moongcho: Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games mascot

The Organising Committee of Gangwon 2024 hosted the contest, open to youth aged between 14 and 24, with the aim of getting young people involved in the competition.

The official theme song 'We go high' was composed by a college student named Kim Keunhak.

The choreography that accompanies the song, created by Kim Sori, was performed on stage by 60 youngsters including 15 from overseas who have taken part in the Dream Programme hosted by the PyeongChang 2018 Legacy Foundation.

One of the performers was none other than Kim Yeri, who won the bronze medal in breaking at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

Also known as B-girl Yell, Kim was appointed as the second ambassador of Gangwon 2024 and will work alongside Yuna Kim.

"As a matter of fact, I never imagined that I would become an ambassador for any sporting event," she admitted. "I thought this kind of role was for people who are more influential than myself, but I'm motivated to work harder as I've been given this role.

"When I took part in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, I thought young athletes could compete as well as their senior counterparts in terms of their physique and skills. So I expect to see more talent emerge at Gangwon 2024 as well.

"There are so many people who have worked hard from a young age, long before they become senior athletes. It's such a glorious opportunity for them to participate in the Youth Olympic Games, no matter whether or not they win medals."

Read more: Breaking star Kim Yeri revealed as honorary ambassador for Gangwon 2024 YOG