Passion in the air 200 days from the start of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018

Today marked 200 days until the start of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. The milestone was celebrated with the President of the Republic of Korea, MOON Jae-in, visiting the host city PyeongChang to show his support for the Games. As the nation’s passion and excitement continues to grow in the final few months before the world’s biggest sporting event kicks off in Korea, the 200 days to go milestone was also celebrated in Seoul and across Gangwon Province throughout the weekend.

As his first visit to PyeongChang as the country’s president, President MOON celebrated the 200-day milestone with the organizing committee staff, volunteers, and local residents at the Alpensia Convention Center – to be used as the Main Press Centre during the Winter Games. President MOON discussed the work of the organizing committee and thanked the staff for their hard work and dedication. The host nation’s president also became the latest PyeongChang 2018 Honorary Ambassador to promote the Republic of Korea’s first Winter Games ever.

MOON Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea said, "For the government, this will be the first major international event since we took office. I believe the government has an obligation to make the Games a success.

"Up until now, the government left this job to the Organizing Committee and Gangwon Province. Now with 200 days left, the central government will join forces to make the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games a complete success.

"This is a chance for the people of our nation to heal and regain hope by successfully hosting the Olympic Winter Games."

Celebrating the 200 days to go mark in Seoul, the PyeongChang 2018 Village was created along the Han River, the major river crossing Seoul, at the Hangang Summer Festival starting from July 21 – August 20. Visitors will be able to experience PyeongChang 2018 in advance through fun activities such as flash mobs, art displays, and movie nights.

A special ‘G-200 Fireworks Festival’ was held in Chuncheon - the capital of Gangwon Province - on Saturday (July 22) with more than 200,000 onlookers including invited dignitaries, athletes, media, local residents and visitors to the area enjoying the entertainment.

The colorful array of fireworks at the "G-200 Fireworks Festival’ was enhanced with a choral performance from the Chuncheon Children’s Choir and a host of other activities including a dance performance by the Gangwon Provincial Dance Company. Olympic speed skating silver medalist KIM Chul-min and speed skating record holder in the 3000 and 5000 meters KIM Bo-reum both gave congratulatory messages to the crowd.

The firework festival will now be a legacy celebration to be held each year in the province to engage the nation and retain the Olympic spirit that is building ahead of the Opening Ceremony of the Games on February 9th.

President of the PyeongChang 2018 Organizing Committee LEE Hee-beom said, "After years of planning and preparation we are now just 200 days away from the start of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games. We are putting the final touches on what will be the biggest Winter Games ever.

"It will also be a Winter Games that will open up new horizons for the Gangwon Province as a tourist destination, and Asia as a winter sports hub for us all to enjoy for many years to come. Now is the time to share the passion and plan your Olympic journey with us. We are ready to showcase the best of winter sports and welcome the world class athletes that will come to PyeongChang to go for Gold."

The start of the Games on February 9th will bring to an end the 101-day Olympic Torch Relay that will commence on November 1st to cover the length and breadth of the country, giving as many people as possible the chance to be part of the Olympic celebrations in their homeland. To add to the spirit of the Olympic Torch Relay, a special theme song was premiered at the firework festival that will be played throughout the journey of the flame to PyeongChang. The song was performed by Korea’s R&B diva, Insooni who was also appointed as a PyeongChang 2018 Honorary Ambassador prior to her performance.

Over the next seven months, PyeongChang will focus on delivering one of the most exciting sporting and cultural events ever to come to Korea. The Games hope to bring people together to share the vision of New Horizons, providing a chance for everyone to learn and experience winter sports, to share the wonders of Korea with the rest of the world and to invite the world to come and experience PyeongChang and Korea in person. Just like the 1988 Seoul Summer Games, the first Olympic Games to be held on the Korean peninsula 30 years ago, PyeongChang 2018 can open doors for the next generation and bring new life, excitement and energy to the dynamic and ever-evolving country.

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