SEOUL – The fourth Winter Youth Olympics, hosted in eastern South Korea, is set to conclude on Thursday, marking the end of two weeks of athletic competitions among teenage athletes.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the closing ceremony, themed "Shine Again," will commence at 8 p.m. at the open plaza in front of the Gangneung Hockey Centre in Gangneung, located approximately 160 kilometers east of Seoul. This theme echoes the motto of the games, "Grow Together, Shine Forever," aiming to celebrate the achievements and growth of the young participants throughout the event.
The organizers shared that the ceremony intends to enable the young athletes to "reignite their inner light" discovered during the competition, encouraging them to carry this renewed spirit back to their home countries. The celebration, expected to attract around 1,700 attendees, will feature a 35-minute program from 8 p.m. to 8:35 p.m., highlighting the successes and memorable moments of the past two weeks.
Preceding the main event, a local DJ named K.hertz will kick off a preshow at 7:30 p.m., setting the stage for the athletes' welcome. The ceremony will showcase a highlight video of the 14-day competition on the main screen, alongside performances by rapper Lee Young-ji and the dancing group 1Million, dedicated to the athletes and spectators.
A unique segment of the closing ceremony will involve three female and three male athletes from each continent and sport collectively expressing gratitude to the volunteers for their dedication and service throughout the games. This gesture emphasizes the spirit of unity and appreciation that has permeated the event.
Gangwon 2024 has the distinction of being the first Winter Youth Olympics held outside Europe, following previous editions in Austria, Norway, and Switzerland. With the participation of 1,802 athletes from 78 countries, it also became the largest Winter Youth Games ever, showcasing a diverse range of talents and fostering a global community of young athletes.