PyeongChang 2018: 50 days to go!

Special exhibition to mark Paralympic Winter Games milestone 18 Jan 2018

a woman speaks to a group of able bodied and wheelchair athletes

First Lady KIM Jung-sook led the celebrations marking 50 days to go until PyeongChang 2018

ⒸPOCOG

By POCOG

A special event has been held today (18 January) in Seoul to celebrate 50 days until the start of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

Hosted by the First Lady of the Republic of Korea KIM Jung-sook, she took to the stage and showed her support for the Games, buying a ticket and celebrating the 50 days-to-go milestone with the Paralympic mascot Bandabi.

First Lady KIM Jung-sook was joined by other dignitaries including the President of the PyeongChang 2018 Organising Committee LEE Hee-beom, Vice-Minister for Culture, Sports and Tourism ROH Tae-kang, Vice-Governor of Gangwon Province SONG Suk-doo, and Korea Paralympic Committee President LEE Myung-ho.

Following the digital launch of the Paralympic Winter Games medals back in December, the medals were shown to the public for the first time today with their well-known Korean designer, LEE Seok-woo, giving a short presentation on the creative thinking that went into their design. A total of 133 sets of Paralympic Winter Games medals will be awarded from 9-18 March across six sports and 80 events.

Adding to the line-up of guests were some of the PyeongChang 2018 volunteers; a selection of Korean National Para ice hockey athletes and some Para athlete prospects for the future. PARK Hyeon Kyu is an 11-year old budding wheelchair basketball player, who is considered to be one of the best athletes at junior level.

PyeongChang 2018 Organising Committee President LEE Hee-beom said, “Today’s celebration marks just 50 days until the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games begins and we are counting down with much excitement and anticipation.

“We have heard some remarkable stories from some of our Para athletes with us today and I hope our nation unites and joins us in PyeongChang to support their remarkable achievements.”

Tickets for the Paralympic Winter Games are on sale now. Each Games ticket includes access to the Olympic Plaza (PyeongChang) and Olympic Park (Gangneung) on that day, allowing spectators the chance to enjoy the cultural celebrations and activities that will take place there. Spectators can also witness the medal ceremonies and see the pride and passion of the athletes live, as they are rewarded for their remarkable achievements.