Gangneung, South Korea
The fourth edition of the Winter Youth Olympics concluded in Gangneung, South Korea, on Thursday with a vibrant closing ceremony. The event, held in eastern South Korea, celebrated the achievements of young athletes over the two-week competition. Gangwon Province, the host region, welcomed a record 1,802 athletes from 78 nations, a significant milestone as this was the first Winter Youth Games held outside Europe. The athletes competed in venues that were also used during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea, the host nation, finished with a commendable tally of seven gold, six silver, and four bronze medals. Notably, the country secured two gold medals on the final day in figure skating and snowboarding. The closing ceremony, themed "Shine Again," resonated with the motto of the games, "Grow Together, Shine Forever." The committee highlighted the theme as a reflection of young athletes facing future challenges and finding strength from within. The ceremony at Gangneung Olympic Park featured a parade of flags, social media photo displays from athletes, and a tribute to volunteers. A distinctive feature of the ceremony was the extinguishing of the digital flame, a first in Youth Olympic history, symbolizing the end of the games.