Torch relay begins for 2024 Gangwon Youth Olympics

The nationwide torch relay for the 2024 Gangwon Youth Olympics started Wednesday at Seoul Plaza in central Seoul, marking 100 days before the Games begin.

The Olympic flame is passed from one torch to the next during a ceremony to mark the start of the 2024 Gangwon Youth Olympics torch relay at Seoul Plaza in central Seoul on Wednesday. [GANGWON YOUTH OLYMPICS ORGANIZING COMMITTEE]

The nationwide torch relay for the 2024 Gangwon Youth Olympics started Wednesday at Seoul Plaza in central Seoul, marking 100 days before the Games begin.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon, Gangwon Governor Kim Jin-tae, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Gangwon Youth Olympics Organizing Committee Cochairpersons Jin Jong-oh and Lee Sang-hwa and ambassadors Kim Yuna, Yoon Sung-bin, Kim Ye-ri and Park Jae-min all attended the event.

Organizing Committee Co-heads Jin and Lee lit the first torch from a lamp containing the Olympic flame that had been flown into Korea from Greece on Sunday by Jin. The flame was given to Jin the previous week in a ceremony in Athens.

Jin and Lee then passed the flame all the way down to figure skater Youn Seo-jin and bobsledder So Jae-hwan.

The 2024 Gangwon Youth Olympics officials including Organizing Committee Co-heads Jin Jong-oh and Lee Sang-hwa, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon, Gangwon Governor Kim Jin-tae alongside Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon pose for a photo during a nationwide torch relay held at Seoul Plaza in central Seoul on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

The torch relay will continue for 80 days and visit cities like Busan, Sejong City, Jeju City and Gwangju, in addition to 18 cities and counties in Gangwon province.

Kim Yuna then introduced the Games catchphrase, “Shine Together,” which is meant to share the joy of sports with teenagers and help them shine through growth.

“Gangwon 2024 will be a platform through which teenagers around the world will be in unity and cooperate for a better world,” Minister Yu said. “We will prepare meticulously in the remaining time in order to not only make the event a success, but also a competition that people around the world will remember and cheer. We ask for all our people’s interest and support until 50 days, 10 days and the opening ceremony of the Games.”

Rapper Lee Young-ji performs at a ceremony to mark the start of the torch relay for the 2023 Gangwon Youth Olympics in Seoul Plaza in central Seoul on Wednesday. [GANGWON YOUTH OLYMPICS ORGANIZING COMMITTEE]

The 2024 Gangwon Youth Olympics will kick off in Gangwon on Jan. 19, with events running through to Feb. 1. Like the 2018, PyeongChang Winter Olympics, events will be held across Gangwon, with ice events on the east coast in Gangneung and snow events spread throughout the mountains.

“We will make the competition where teenagers can follow their dreams and passion,” Co-heads Jin and Lee said.

A total of 1,900 athletes from 70 countries are expected to compete in the Games, with 81 medals on the line across 15 different events.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]