PyeongChang Presents Medal Podiums and Costumes

(ATR) Olympic champions will step upon white podiums and be greeted by volunteers in traditional Korean garb after events at PyeongChang 2018.

PyeongChang 2018 says the victory ceremonies will be done with the concept of "convergence and unique". Organizers told Korean media that the designs for the podium and costumes were "combining aspects of Western and Eastern cultures".

The all white podiums which athletes will stand on are designed by Kyung Woo Han, an art professor at Seoul National University. Han said to Yonhap he drew influence from snow upon traditional tiled roofs on Korean houses known as "giwa".

Key Sook Geum, a design professor at Hongik University in Seoul, designed the costumes that volunteers will wear. The clothes were inspired by traditional Korean dress, and feature the colors of the South Korean flag. Geum said that the designs also factored in the frigid climate of PyeongChang. All medal ceremonies for the Olympics and Paralympics will be held in a designated area in the Olympic Plaza next to the ceremonies stadium.

Athletes will receive a specially designed mascot with their medals and a wooden carved South Korean "Hangeul" letter. PyeongChang 2018 will not include a traditional flower bouquet in its medal ceremonies.

"We will try to show South Korea's unique culture and beauty to the world," Hee Beom Lee, PyeongChang 2018 President, said as quoted by Yonhap. "For athletes, it's going to be one of the most important moments in their life, but for fans, it will be a culture festival."

Written by Aaron Bauer

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