Gangwon 2024 Coordination Commission meeting highlights major achievements as YOG plans enter final stretch
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024 met this week (7-9 February) for the third time in the Republic of Korea, as preparations for next year’s YOG enter their final year. It was the first on-site meeting since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With anticipation building ahead of what will be the first YOG to be held since Lausanne 2020, the meeting gave the Gangwon 2024 Organising Committee (YOGOC) the opportunity to present some of the important milestones it has celebrated since the last Coordination Commission meeting in May. This included key engagement initiatives such as the successful unveiling of the official mascot and slogan for the Games, and the launch of the medal design competition.
Five years to the day since the start of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, Gangwon 2024 was able to update the Coordination Commission on the significant progress it has made with Games planning, including a dual-venue Opening Ceremony concept – with celebrations taking place in both PyeongChang and Gangneung – and a comprehensive programme of cultural events to help engage athletes, local youth and other spectators in a festival atmosphere.
Detailed operational plans were also discussed, including functional areas such as transport and accommodation, as the Organising Committee continues to grow its workforce and transition from the planning phase to delivering the Games.
Over the course of three days, the Coordination Commission visited various YOG venues, most of which were used in the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. The Commission had the opportunity to tour facilities such as the Alpensia Sliding Centre, which has hosted events such as the Asian Luge Championships and FIL Continental Cup. The Coordination Commission also attended practice sessions for the latest leg of the FIL Continental Cup Youth A series, which acted as both a competition and a test event for Gangwon 2024.
“We are impressed with the tremendous progress that has been made in the preparations for the Winter YOG Gangwon 2024,” said Coordination Commission Chair and IOC Member Hong Zhang. “The Organising Committee has shown great commitment and dedication in ensuring that the Games will be a fantastic event for all involved. We are confident that the hard work and collaboration between all parties will result in successful and memorable YOG.”
She continued: “Since our last meeting in May, the Organising Committee has been able to make significant progress and celebrate some key milestones in the countdown to the YOG, including the launch of the official mascot and the slogan. Meeting in person for the first time has allowed us to have constructive discussions as preparations enter a crucial stage, with less than a year to go until the Opening Ceremonies. We also appreciated having the opportunity to visit the YOG venues and PyeongChang Olympic Museum, all of which take advantage of the fantastic legacy of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.”
Kim Chulmin, Secretary General of the Organising Committee, said: “Over the course of the three-day meeting, we showed that significant advancements have been made in all aspects of Games readiness, giving confidence that the event will be successfully hosted.”
He added: "We will work in close partnership with the IOC and other partners of the Youth Olympic Games to make sure that Gangwon 2024 provides not just a sporting competition, but also a one-of-a-kind cultural experience for the participating athletes and young people.”
Gangwon was elected as the host of the 4th Winter YOG at the 135th IOC Session in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 10 January 2020. A total of 81 events will take place from 19 January to 1 February 2024, with 1,900 participating athletes.
The Games will benefit greatly from the legacy of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 and will take place in four locations: Gangneung (for ice sports), PyeongChang (for Nordic and sliding disciplines), Jeongseon High 1 (for Alpine skiing and dual moguls) and Hoengseong (for the remaining freestyle skiing and snowboard events).