Athletes triumph at Gangwon Youth Olympics after snowy opening weekend

The medal pursuit at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics is fully underway with a packed schedule resuming on Sunday after heavy snow disrupted some events over the weekend, causing delays.

France's Jonas Chollet, right, celebrates after winning the men's snowboard cross final at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Hoengseong County on Jan. 20. [XINHUA]

The competition at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics is forging ahead, with a packed schedule resuming on Sunday after heavy snow disrupted some events over the weekend, causing delays.

But the medal pursuit is fully underway across the eastern Korean province, with athletes winning a total of 30 medals across 10 disciplines to put their countries onto the table.

Korea’s first two medals came from short track speed skating, held at the indoor Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung on Saturday.

Korean short track speed skater Joo Jae-hee, 17, took gold in the men’s 1500-meter final with a time of 2 minutes and 21.906 seconds, besting China’s Zhang Xinzhe, 16, who finished with 2 minutes and 22.095 seconds after a tight race.

Korea’s Kim You-sung, 16, came in a close third, finishing with a time of 2 minutes and 22.148 seconds to win bronze, joining Joo on the podium.

Korea's Joo Jae-hee, left, and Kim Yoo-sung compete in the men's 1500-meter short track speed skating final of the Gangwon Youth Olympics held at Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangwon on Jan. 20. [YONHAP]

Both Joo and Kim were also entered in the men’s 1000-meter contest but neither broke into the top three, with Joo narrowly missing out on a second medal after a tough fall during the final on Sunday.

Korea has yet to medal in any women's events as of press time Sunday but is expected to dominate in short track in Gangwon, having won the most medals in the sport at all three previous tournaments since the inaugural Youth Winter Olympics in 2012.

Athletes also took home medals in a handful of outdoor events contested under grey skies Saturday, with France’s Jonah Chollet, 15, topping the podium in the men’s snowboard cross and Switzerland’s Noemie Wiedmer, 16, taking gold in the women’s event.

The French team of Chollet and Lea Casta, 17, followed with another gold in the mixed team snowboard cross on Sunday.

Germany’s Benno Brandis, 17, won gold in the weather-delayed men’s Super-G alpine skiing final in Jeongseon County on Sunday, and Italy’s Camila Vanni, 17, topped the podium in the women’s event, which took place in the morning.

The Korea Meteorological Administration lifted a heavy snow warning on Sunday morning, but many outdoor activities for spectators were canceled due to expected snow and rain throughout the day.

Weather-related road closures were also an issue, leaving spectators unable to watch some competitions due to rain in Gangneung and snowfall in Pyeongchang on Saturday, the first official day of the Games, a spokesperson said Sunday.

Soldiers clear snow from the stands ahead of the single mixed relay biathlon during the Gangwon Youth Olympics at Alpensia Biathlon Centre in Pyeongchang on Jan. 21. [AFP/YONHAP]

Tournament organizers are adding additional tickets for sold-out events and will also open the venue to those without tickets, the spokesperson said.

The Gangwon Youth Olympics began with the first medal ceremonies on Saturday and will run until Feb. 1.

BY MARY YANG [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]