The Olympic Games are not only the largest sporting event, but also a huge cultural festival for millions of fans around the world. Competitions held both in summer and in winter are very popular. The last games were held in 2014 in Russia, in the city of Sochi, and impressed the public with its grand scale. The next Winter Olympics - 2018 - will be held in the city of Pyeongchang.
The history of the struggle of Pyeongchang for the right to be the Olympic capital
The city of Pyeongchang is located in South Korea, on its territory it will host the XXIII Winter Olympic Games. This city fought for a long time for the right to become the capital of world sports. Filing an application twice, he lost first to Canadian Vancouver, and then to Russian Sochi. However, Korean representatives have always been characterized by confidence and constancy, perhaps it was precisely for this that once again luck decided to smile at them.
The definition of the city of Pyeongchang as the venue for the Olympics took place on July 6, 2011. Thus, South Korea got enough time to carry out all the necessary preparations for the main sporting event. The small city of Pyeongchang was able to get around the fairly well-known large European cities of Munich and Annessee in the first round of voting. It is worth noting that many analysts previously considered South Korea a favorite in this sports race.
The jury of the Olympic Committee was greatly impressed by Korean athletes. The famous champion Yu Na Kim made a speech in front of them. She was honored to tell the whole world about how the Winter Olympics will be able to change the history of sports in her country. On her example, she convinced everyone that the South Korean competition for the right to host the Olympic Games gave a new impetus to sports, stadiums and tracks began to be built, and conditions were created for the education and training of athletes. The Olympic champion confirmed her words a couple of days before the performance - at the rink, showing the greatest skiing class.
Nature and climate of the future Olympic capital
The 2018 Winter Olympics will last from February 9 to February 25 and promises to be a worthy, striking event. For sporting events, the organizers are preparing new stadiums, venues and tracks in the territory of two ski resorts - Chunbon and Alpenzia, as well as in the coastal area near the village of Gangneung.
The local places are characterized by stunning picturesque views, unique nature has been preserved in its original form, which is closely intertwined with the traditions and customs of local peoples. Almost 90% of the territory is covered by fairly high cliffs, which are ideal for snowboarding or
skiing. Many amateurs have long been able to appreciate the local sports facilities. Most of the places here are characterized by a humid climate. Most precipitation falls in the summer, however, in some cases it can rain in the winter.
How much is the Olympics?
The South Korean authorities promise to create all the necessary conditions for athletes and tourists. So, all the proposed facilities will be located close to each other, so that you can move between them almost on foot. The government of the country allocated about one and a half billion dollars to finance projects, in addition, another 8 billion is planned to be invested by 2018.
New symbolism
The 2018 Winter Olympics has already gained its symbolism. So, the stands and posters will adorn:
- Five classic olympic rings.
- International inscription in English PyeongChang 2018.
- A special logo is two Korean letters made in the Olympic palette. They are characterized by deep symbolism. So, the first symbol means a harmonious interaction between heaven, earth and man, but the second letter is identified with the feast of ice and snow.
Olympic sports
Next, the Winter Olympics-2018, will delight us with sports in such disciplines as:
- ice skating;
- bobsleigh;
- biathlon and skiing;
- snowboard;
- hockey;
- curling;
- Ski jumping and much more.
A little more about Pyeongchang
The 2018 Winter Olympics will certainly attract many tourists, including our compatriots. However, getting to the new sports capital is far from easy. So, initially you need to buy a plane ticket to Seoul, and then transfer by car, such a journey will take travelers about 4 hours. The city of Pyeongchang is quite small, only about 40 thousand people live in it, a conservative way of life has been preserved here, courtesy and respect are welcome. In addition, tourists from all over the world will be pleasantly struck by local prices, which are distinguished by significant loyalty.
In their free time from sports, city guests can devote to exploring local attractions and getting acquainted with South Korean culture. It is recommended that you carefully familiarize yourself with the local cuisine - its main distinguishing feature is a piercing pungency, unusual for many Europeans. If necessary, within the city you can find restaurants and cafes with European cuisine, as well as fast food.
The meaning of the Olympics
The 2018 Winter Olympics is a long-awaited event for the entire South Korean nation and a major event for the Asian region as a whole. The overwhelming majority of the country's inhabitants support and approve the holding of a large-scale sports festival in the territory of their native state. In addition to the development of sports, these competitions contribute to the development of social conditions, as well as national identity.