By Xu Aiying
Photos = Xu Aiying 

"We will make all athletes participating in the Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics (Gangwon 2024) and visitors remember it as a global sports festival with K-culture."

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yu In Chon on Jan. 12 visited Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre and Alpensia Biathlon Centre in Pyeongchang-gun County, Gangwon-do Province, to check final preparations for Gangwon 2024, which opens on Jan. 19.

"The competition is important but because this is the youth Olympics, I hope that our national team members can interact with youth athletes from other countries to learn the spirit of sportsmanship and broaden their horizons worldwide," he told reporters.

The competition's organizing committee from Jan. 11-12 held a media familiarization tour for domestic and foreign reporters. On-site preparations were bustling with activity as Gangwon 2024 will be the first Winter Youth Olympics held in Asia.

Seamless preparation


Events in Gangneung and Pyeongchang-gun will be held at superior athletic facilities used during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

Clearing snow at snow sport venues was done at the end of last year and producing ice at ice rinks of Gangneung Oval will be finished by Jan. 16. Temporary facilities like heating shelters, modular containers and portable toilets have been installed near the building.

Youth Olympic Village Gangneung and Youth Olympic Village High 1, where 2,950 people comprising athletes and staff will stay during the event, began last month supply arrangement and will finish staffing and final checks by Jan. 16.

After consultations with the International Olympic Committee, the Gangwon 2024 organizing committee finalized meal plans featuring Korean, halal and vegan foods at cafeterias for athletes so that they can do their best during the tournament.


Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Miran on Jan. 11 emphasized comfort and safety during the Olympics while accompanied by reporters.

As an Olympic gold medal winner in weightlifting who knows what athletes can think, she thoroughly checked travel routes, language communication, food and accommodations with the committee to ensure all processes go well from the time the athletes arrive in Korea to their return home to ensure their peak performance.

"Because of cold weather, the most important thing over the event period is to ensure that youth athletes from around the world perform well under safe and comfortable conditions," she said. "We hope they will leave Korea with fond memories of Gangwon 2024."

Diversity of fun activities


Festivals and foods in Gangwon-do are crucial during the Olympic hosting period. The province is not only popular among Koreans but also foreign tourists for its beautiful natural scenery.

A Korea.net staff writer on Jan. 12 visited Pyeongchang-gun during the running of the Pyeongchang Trout Festival, which ends on Jan. 28 to coincide with Gangwon 2024, at Odaecheon Stream. The venue can accommodate about 5,000 people.

Catching trout, a highlight of the festival, is categorized by three activities: ice fishing by drilling holes of around 20 cm in diameter on ice, bare handed and that done indoors. Those who catch trout at the venue can eat it raw or grill it on the spot.

In addition, winter sports and cultural experiences, exhibitions and performances are scheduled. During the Gangwon 2024 period, Gangneung hosts the event "Play Winter Zone" and Pyeongchang-gun from Jan. 27-28 the Gangwon 2024 K-Culture Festival to provide enjoyable options. National arts organizations will also hold performances and concerts.

xuaiy@korea.kr