Youth Olympic Flame arrives in the Republic of Korea ahead of the Winter YOG Gangwon 2024
The Youth Olympic Flame for the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024 has arrived at Incheon International Airport in the host nation of the Republic of Korea. The arrival of the flame takes place three days before the start of the Gangwon 2024 Torch Tour – which will get underway on 11 October – and exactly 100 days before the opening of the Games.
The Flame was welcomed to the Republic of Korea during a special ceremony at Incheon International Airport. Jin Jong-oh, Co-President of the Gangwon 2024 Organising Committee and a four-time Olympic champion in shooting, was joined by the Gangwon 2024 mascot, Moongcho. Also part of the ceremony were the Gangwon 2024 Youth Supporters, a group of young people who are encouraging the nation to “Grow Together, Shine Forever” ahead of the Winter YOG.
Gangwon 2024 Organising Committee Co-President Jin Jong-oh said at the ceremony: “It was a great honour to take part in the lighting ceremony for the Youth Olympic flame in Greece, and now we’re thrilled to see it safely arrive on home soil amidst the interest and support of the Korean people. We very much look forward to seeing the flame brighten the country as it begins its Journey of Solidarity, containing a message of hope.”
A Journey of Solidarity
The Youth Olympic Flame will make its way to Seoul Plaza for the first Torch Tour celebration on 11 October, which will simultaneously mark 100 days until the start of the Games.
The countdown celebrations at Seoul Plaza will feature two big names of the K-Pop scene; superstar girl group Itzy and rising boy band Riize, along with performances from Korean rapper Lee Young-ji and punk group Crying Nut. Jin Jong-oh will be joined by two-time Olympic speed skating champion and Gangwon 2024 Organising Committee Co-President, Lee Sang-hwa, Gangwon Province Governor Kim Jin-tae, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and others to mark this special moment.
Following the ceremony, the Torch Tour will set out across the Republic of Korea, visiting five major cities – Seoul, Busan, Sejong, Jeju and Gwangju – before touring 18 cities and counties in Gangwon province. Themed as a “Journey of Solidarity”, the Torch Tour aims to spread the importance of sport and the Olympic values to young people while also raising awareness of the Winter YOG Gangwon 2024 across this sports-mad nation.
From Athens to Gangwon
The Youth Olympic Flame began its journey to Gangwon on 3 October with a beautiful handover ceremony at Athens' historic Panathenaic Stadium, the venue for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, enthusiastic crowds were present at the handover. The Games will get under way with a spectacular Opening Ceremony on 19 January 2024. Some 1,900 young athletes are set to take part in the Games, with a 50–50 split between male and female competitors.