Media Guide Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony EMBARGO
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Media Guide PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony EMBARGO The information contained in this media guide is embargoed until 20:00 Seoul/Korea Time (GMT+9) 9 February 2018. Please do not disclose the information contained in the media guide until the time indicated above. About the Media Guide The media guide was compiled in two languages — Korean and English — to assist journalists reporting on the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. The guide contains the running order of the Opening Ceremony, and information concerning the programmes in the ceremony, scene-by-scene information, performers and production team. 2 The Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 Opening Ceremony Media Guide 3 Embargo: 20:00:00 Seoul/Korea Time (GMT+9) 9 February 2018 Olympic History Korean Olympic History The ancient Olympic Games were a mixture of religion, arts, and In 1948 at the 14th Olympic Games held in London, Korea military drills; a ritual held in honour of Zeus; and a culmination participated in the Olympic Games as an independent nation for of Hellenic culture. Once every four years, people from all over the first time. The Korean team was composed of 68 athletes Greece assembled on the plain of Olympia, where the Alfeios River competing in 7 events. HAN Su-an won a bronze medal in boxing meets the Kladeos River, and first observed religious ceremonies and KIM Seong-jib also won a bronze medal in weight lifting, at pantheons during the Olympic Games. placing the country 24th in rank. Since the London 1948 Summer Games, Korea has participated in every Olympic Games except for The revival of the Olympic Games was possible because of the Moscow 1980 Summer Games. In the Montreal 1976 Summer Baron de Coubertin’s dedication and effort. On 23 June 1894, Games, YANG Jeong-mo became the first Korean athlete to win a the first Olympic Congress of the newly created International gold medal, in wrestling, since Korea had become an independent Olympic Committee was held at the University of Paris, and it was nation. unanimously agreed to revive the tradition of the Olympic Games. In 1896, the first modern Olympic Games were hold in Athens. In 1979, Korea decided to make a bid to host the 24th Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, and in February 1981, Korea submitted its application to the International Olympic Committee headquarters. In September of the same year, at the 84th International Olympic Committee Session held in Baden-Baden, Seoul won the bid over Nagoya by 52 to 27 votes. Under the slogan of ‘Harmony and Progress’, the Seoul 1988 Summer Games became a pivotal moment for the country to emerge as an important member of the global community. After the successful Seoul 1988 Summer Games, Korea made a bid to host the 2010 Winter Games; however, PyeongChang lost to ⓒ getty images Vancouver in 2003, and in 2007, Sochi won the bid to host the 2014 Winter Games. In June 2010, PyeongChang, Munich, and Annecy competed to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, and in July 2011 PyeongChang was selected as host city for the 2018 Winter Games. Thirty years after hosting the 1988 Summer Olympic Games, Korea is ready to welcome everyone to PyeongChang for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. 4 The Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 Opening Ceremony Media Guide 5 Embargo: 20:00:00 Seoul/Korea Time (GMT+9) 9 February 2018 Greetings from the President of Republic of Korea Greetings from the President of the International Olympic Committee I would like to welcome everyone who has joined us here at PyeongChang for the 2018 Olympic Winter Welcome to the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018! Games. And to the delegates from different countries, the world-class athletes, and viewers from around the world, I would also like to take this opportunity to convey greetings and a message of The Opening Ceremony today marks the culmination of a vision presented seven years ago. It was a friendship from the people of Korea. vision of opening new horizons and connecting the world with a shared passion for winter sport. The Seoul 1988 Summer Games paved the way for reconciliation between East and West by breaking down the wall of the Cold War. Thirty years after hosting the Summer Games, the PyeongChang This dream of hosting the first Olympic Winter Games in the Republic of Korea is now a reality. Thanks Olympic Winter Games has commenced with a hope for peace from everyone around the world. to the outstanding work of the PyeongChang 2018 Organising Committee, the stage is set for the best winter sport athletes of the world to amaze us with their performances. Our thanks and gratitude It was with an ardent desire that the people of Korea aspired to host the Olympic Winter Games, as the also go to the Korean people and the government authorities at all levels for their great support and dream and future of Korea, the only divided nation in the world, mirrors the Olympic spirit in its pursuit of peace. commitment. The wonderful hospitality of our gracious hosts is making everyone feel right at home in Moon Jae-in Thomas Bach this beautiful winter sports hub of PyeongChang. The people of Korea rewrote the history of democracy last year with peaceful and dignified candlelight protests. We have also been very committed in our preparation of the Olympic Games as a festival and The coming days will be a time for everyone to shine. PyeongChang will write its own unique chapter in celebration of peace. history, showcasing the best of a modern Korea to the world. Athletes will inspire the next generation with the magic of Olympic sport on snow and ice. The Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 will be I believe the Olympic Flame that opens the Winter Games will illuminate the path of peace for everyone who has travelled to be with us in the beautiful winter wonderland of Korea. a time to bring the world together, united in the Olympic spirit of peace and friendship. This is the start. With passion that will bring supporters and athletes together regardless of outcome, Thank you for being part of this special moment. and with the Olympic spirit that seeks peace and a love for humanity, the Winter Games held on the snow and ice here in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province will be for everyone to enjoy and celebrate. Thomas Bach Thank you. President of the International Olympic Committee Moon Jae-in Olympic Champion, FENCING, 1976 President of the Republic of Korea 6 The Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 Opening Ceremony Media Guide 7 Embargo: 20:00:00 Seoul/Korea Time (GMT+9) 9 February 2018 Greetings from the President & CEO of PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Greetings from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games has now officially commenced. As this is the first I would like to welcome everyone who has joined us at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, Olympic Winter Games ever to be held in Korea, we would like to welcome everyone who is joining us for the festival held on ice and snow with top athletes from around the world. this historic event. To Koreans, this Olympic Winter Games here at PyeongChang has a special meaning because Every day will be a festival at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. With a diverse cultural PyeongChang was selected as the host city after trying for the third time. It is an honour to be hosting program established to fit our slogan ‘Everyday Culture & Festival’, a new cultural Olympic Games is set the Olympic Games, and we have tried our very best to prepare for the Games over the past seven so that people around the world join in the celebration together. years. We will be able to see the future at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games. As the audience experience At PyeongChang, you will see the Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies, a showcase and is enhanced through the viewing of competitions by information and communications technology celebration of the beauty and uniqueness of Korean culture; the lighting of the Olympic Flame, which (ICT) technology, Korea reaffirms itself as a technological powerhouse to lead the Fourth Industrial will inspire everyone to feel connected through the passion we share for sport; fierce competition and Revolution. fair play from world-class athletes; and a variety of cultural events and opportunities to experience LEE Hee-beom DO Jong-hwan Korea as an ICT powerhouse. The PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games will guide us to a world of reconciliation. Just as the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games broke down the Cold War barrier between East and West 30 years ago, we hope that And most importantly, the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 will be a beautiful event that the two Koreas participating together in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games will once again will also be safe and peaceful, as well as an event where sincere congratulations will be offered to the bring peace over our land. Our mascot’s name, Soohorang, is formed from the word ‘sooho’, which athletes who win, and heart-felt encouragement to those who don’t. Again, I would like to welcome means ‘protection’, and participating athletes, officials, and audience can be rest assured that you will everyone to be a part of the festival and celebration of peace and harmony for the next 17 days here in be ‘protected’ at Olympic Winter Games. PyeongChang. The PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games seeks to connect the world as one through passion, as Thank you.