We Ask Americans About the 2018 Winter Olympics

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The World Will be Watching, But What Are They Thinking? We Ask Americans About the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Throughout the years, the Olympic Games have become as much a spectacle for its pageantry as a show of global peace and sportsmanship. The 2018 Winter Olympics start February 8th in South Korea, and our recent Ipsos Omnibus survey found out what Americans think about this world wide event. The last time the United States hosted the Winter Olympics was 16 years ago in Salt Lake City. Regardless of where it’s held, the Winter Olympics provide excitement and enter- tainment for the 70% of Americans who plan on watching the 2018 games. When asked in December, about half (52%) of Americans knew the 2018 Winter Olympics would be taking place in South Korea, while a third (34%) didn’t have any idea where they were being held. In fact, we found out more Americans (63%) were aware Russia had been banned from participating in this year’s Olympics than knew where the games were being held. The 2018 Winter Olympics will be held in PyeongChang, which is a popular ski destination located 700 meters (2,296 feet) above sea level. This elevation, said to be the optimal altitude for well-being, inspires the city’s slogan, “Happy 7 0 0 .” Between the estimated $5,000 it would take to attend the Olympics in PyeongChang for a week, and the current military tensions, it’s safe to assume most Americans will probably get cozy and watch the events and ceremonies on television.

The XXlll Winter Olympics are expected to cost We also discovered Americans aren’t too concerned South Korea about $13 billion and they hope to sell that NHL players are no longer eligible to participate all one million tickets offered throughout the 17 days in the Olympics. Only 13% say they will be less inter- of events. The opening and closing ceremonies are ested in watching hockey, while 77% say it doesn’t usually among the most popular for attendance— make any difference to their interest in watching the and this year ticket holders will have to be hardy hockey events this year. souls. PyeongChang has built an open-air $58 million Given the complicated situation in northeast Asia, stadium for the ceremonies that start and end the and the fact PyeongChang is located 50 miles south chilly winter games. Concerns about the expected of a militarized border, it is somewhat surprising cold weather and biting winds have led organizers Americans were strongly in favor (86%) of the U.S. to plan on giving each audience member a blanket participating in the 2018 Winter Olympics. Especially and hot pack as they enter the stadium to prevent when eight out of ten (79%) are concerned about a hypothermia. possible terrorist attack during these winter games, While viewers at home may escape the chill, they will and only 6% said they are not concerned at all an have their fair share of thrills. The Winter Olympics attack will take place. continue to include more extreme style sports. Let’s all hope the 2018 Olympic Games will play out Twenty years ago, snowboarding first appeared as intended, as “an international athletic competition in the 1998 Olympics, and this year there will be a that promotes building a peaceful and better world total of 11 snowboarding events, several of which by educating youth through sport practiced without Americans are favored to medal in. Most (65%) discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, Americans agree they find the Winter Olympics more which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of enjoyable and exciting now that sports events like friendship, solidarity and fair play.” freestyle skiing and snowboarding have been added. When asked which athletes require the higher skill Let the games begin! level, winter or summer Olympians, winter (61%) Each week Ipsos U.S. eNation omnibus completes clearly won. You must admit, watching the athletes as five national surveys. Ipsos Omnibus offers a variety they prepare to take off from a gigantic slope or jump of services, including overnight or custom studies. is frightening, or at least considered exhilarating! To collect complimentary access to this 2018 Winter Many Americans have participated in or observed Olympics study or to learn more about eNation swimming, baseball, volleyball and other summer omnibus, please contact: Olympic sports first-hand. But even if we have glided Paul Abbate (or made it) down a slope, few have witnessed some Senior Vice President of the wild spectacles we’ll soon be watching as U.S. Ipsos Public Affairs snowboarders, skiers and ice-skaters flip through 617.959.9548 the air or fly off ramps. It’s not too surprising we look [email protected] at some winter Olympic athletes with amazement or shake our head at their risk-taking. Chris Deeney Senior Vice President Are there other sports Americans would like to see U.S. Ipsos Public Affairs added to the Winter Olympics? When given a selec- 312.526.4088 tion, dog sledding (24%) or snowmobiling (15%) had [email protected] the only measurable interest and 37% said none. To learn more, visit: www.ipsos.com