2018 Winter Olympics
The 2018 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXIII Olympic Winter Games and branded as PyeongChang 2018, was a major international multi-sport event held from 9 to 25 February 2018 in Pyeongchang County, Gangwon Province, South Korea.[1] This marked the first time South Korea hosted the Winter Olympics and the second occasion the Games were staged in Asia following the 1998 Nagano edition.[1] The competition encompassed 102 events across 15 winter sports disciplines, with over 2,900 athletes representing 92 National Olympic Committees.[2] New additions to the program included men's and women's big air snowboarding, mixed doubles curling, mixed team alpine skiing, and mass start speed skating events.[1] Norway achieved the most success, topping the medal table with 14 gold, 14 silver, and 11 bronze medals for a total of 39, setting a record for the highest medal haul at a single Winter Olympics.[3] The Games were notable for diplomatic developments between North and South Korea, including a unified team marching under the Korean Unification Flag at the opening ceremony and a joint women's ice hockey team comprising players from both nations, alongside 22 athletes from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea competing individually in other events.[4] In response to revelations of state-sponsored doping by Russia, the International Olympic Committee suspended the Russian National Olympic Committee, barring its flag and anthem, though 168 athletes deemed clean were invited to participate as Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR).[5] Despite rigorous re-testing, two OAR athletes were found to have committed anti-doping violations during the PyeongChang Games themselves.Bidding process
Candidate cities and campaigns
Three cities submitted applications to host the 2018 Winter Olympics: Annecy, France; Munich, Germany; and Pyeongchang, South Korea.[6] These preliminary bids were filed by the IOC's October 15, 2009, deadline, reflecting limited global interest in contrast to prior Winter Games selections that attracted more applicants.[6] The IOC Executive Board accepted all three as official candidates on December 9, 2009, initiating the candidature phase that required submission of detailed files by January 11, 2011, followed by evaluation commission visits from February to March 2011.[7] Candidate cities then briefed IOC members in Lausanne on May 10–11, 2011, with each allocated 45 minutes for presentations on technical aspects, vision, and legacy plans.[8] Pyeongchang's third consecutive bid emphasized persistence after narrow losses for the 2010 and 2014 Games, showcasing completed infrastructure upgrades including the Alpensia Ocean 700 high-speed rail link to Seoul and existing ski venues at Alpensia and Yongpyong resorts.[9] The campaign, backed by strong national government funding of approximately 1.9 trillion South Korean won (about $1.7 billion USD at the time), highlighted economic development for the underdeveloped Gangwon Province and the historic opportunity for a Winter Olympics in a non-traditional Asian host beyond Japan's Nagano 1998.[9] [10] Munich's bid leveraged Germany's robust winter sports infrastructure and the legacy of its 1972 Summer Olympics, proposing ice events in Munich's Olympic Park venues and snow disciplines in the Bavarian Alps near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, site of the 1936 Winter events.[11] The plan aimed for a decentralized but connected Games model using 90% existing or temporary facilities to minimize costs, with an estimated budget under 2 billion euros, positioning it as a sustainable European option amid economic recovery post-2008 financial crisis.[11] Annecy's campaign targeted the French Alps' natural terrain for alpine and Nordic events, with ice sports in nearby Chamonix and other regional arenas, but underwent major scaling back from initial plans due to budget overruns projected at over 200 million euros and local taxpayer resistance.[12] Leadership shifted from Olympic moguls champion Edgar Grospiron to businessman Charles Beigbeder amid internal disputes, resulting in a low-key effort focused on cost efficiency and environmental integration, which its former leader later conceded lacked competitiveness against rivals' stronger commitments.[13] [12]IOC election and decision
The bidding process for the 2018 Winter Olympics culminated in the IOC's 123rd Session held in Durban, South Africa.[14] Three cities advanced to the final selection stage following evaluation by the IOC's Candidature Acceptance Working Group and Coordination Commission: PyeongChang, South Korea; Munich, Germany; and Annecy, France.[15] Each bid presented its vision, with PyeongChang emphasizing its mountainous terrain, existing infrastructure from prior bids, and commitment to sustainable development in Gangwon Province.[16] Munich highlighted its experience from the 1972 Summer Olympics and proximity to alpine venues, while Annecy focused on its Alpine location and environmental integration, though its bid faced internal French coordination challenges.[17] On July 6, 2011, the IOC conducted a secret ballot vote among its 95 eligible members, excluding those from the candidate countries per voting regulations.[18] PyeongChang secured victory in the first round with 63 votes, surpassing the required absolute majority of 48; Munich received 25 votes, and Annecy obtained 7.[14] [16] This outcome eliminated the need for additional rounds, marking PyeongChang's third bid attempt after narrow losses to Vancouver for the 2010 Games (failed by three votes) and to Sochi for the 2014 Games.[19] IOC President Jacques Rogge announced the decision, confirming PyeongChang as host for the XXIII Olympic Winter Games from February 9 to 25, 2018.[18] The selection represented South Korea's first Winter Olympics hosting and the first in Asia since Nagano in 1998, with the IOC citing PyeongChang's strong technical evaluation scores, public support, and legacy plans as key factors.[20] [21] Post-decision, a Host City Contract was signed, outlining obligations for venues, security, and anti-doping measures.[14]Organization and preparation
Venues and infrastructure
The 2018 Winter Olympics utilized venues across two primary clusters in Gangwon Province, South Korea: the PyeongChang Mountain Cluster for snow sports and the Gangneung Coastal Cluster for ice sports.[22] This division spanned approximately 52 kilometers, necessitating investments in transportation infrastructure, including upgrades to the high-speed KTX rail line connecting Seoul to the venues.[23] In the Mountain Cluster, Alpensia Sports Park hosted ski jumping, Nordic combined, biathlon, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding events, featuring newly constructed facilities like the Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre and Biathlon Centre.[24] Yongpyong Alpine Centre, an existing resort refurbished for the Games, accommodated alpine skiing competitions, while the new Jeongseon Alpine Centre handled additional downhill events.[25] Phoenix Snow Park, also newly built, served freestyle skiing and snowboarding.[24] The temporary PyeongChang Olympic Stadium, erected at a cost of approximately $109 million, hosted the opening and closing ceremonies before being dismantled post-Games.[23] The Coastal Cluster centered on Gangneung Olympic Park, where the new Gangneung Oval facilitated speed skating and the Gangneung Ice Arena supported figure skating and short track speed skating.[26] Ice hockey events occurred at the refurbished Gangneung Hockey Centre and the new Kwandong Hockey Centre at Kwandong University.[24] Curling competitions took place at the existing Gangneung Curling Centre. Overall, organizers constructed six new venues and refurbished six existing ones, completing all competition facilities by October 2017.[27][24] Infrastructure developments extended beyond venues to include two Olympic Villages in the clusters, finished in December 2017 to house over 3,000 athletes each.[28] Total investments for the Games reached about $13 billion, with a significant portion—estimated at $12 billion—allocated to infrastructure such as rail expansions, roads, and utilities to support regional development.[29] Post-Games, eight venues were repurposed for ongoing winter sports training and public recreation, contributing to Gangwon Province's emergence as an Asian winter sports hub.[30]Torch relay and ceremonial elements
The Olympic flame for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics was lit during a traditional ceremony in Ancient Olympia, Greece, on 24 October 2017.[31] The flame was then carried on a 5,300-mile journey to South Korea, arriving at Incheon International Airport on 1 November 2017, where a ceremonial mini cauldron was ignited to commence the domestic relay.[32][33] The South Korean leg spanned 2,018 kilometers over 101 days, engaging around 7,500 torchbearers selected from diverse backgrounds, with the route emphasizing cultural sites, environmental landmarks, and community hubs under the theme "Let Everyone Shine."[34][35][36] The torch itself, designed by South Korean Lee Woo-sing, measured 700 millimeters in length to reflect PyeongChang's elevation of 700 meters above sea level.[31] Its form evoked natural elements like snow, ice, and wind through curved lines and layered structures, while pentagonal motifs at the base and five pillars at the top symbolized the five Olympic continents and rings, underscoring global unity.[31][37] The Olympic cauldron was unveiled and lit on 9 February 2018 during the opening ceremony at PyeongChang Olympic Stadium, with South Korean figure skater Yuna Kim and footballer Lee Keun-ho using the relay torch to ignite it in a display integrating icicle motifs and LED projections representing harmony and peace.[31][38][39] Ceremonial symbols included the mascot Soohorang, a stylized white tiger rooted in Korean mythology as a guardian of safe travels and strength, embodying the host nation's heritage.[40] Victory podium presentations featured Soohorang dolls adorned with gold, silver, or bronze hats in lieu of floral bouquets, accompanied by culturally resonant music selections.[41][42] The 24 event pictograms drew from Hangul characters—four consonants and three vowels—to fuse linguistic tradition with modern athletic representation, promoting accessibility and cultural pride.[43]Ticketing, attendance, and logistics
Tickets for the 2018 Winter Olympics went on sale to South Korean residents on February 8, 2017, coinciding with the one-year-to-go milestone, through the official ticketing website managed by the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG).[44] International sales followed in October 2017.[45] Prices for competition events ranged from ₩20,000 (approximately US$17) to ₩900,000 (approximately US$787), with about 50% of tickets priced at ₩80,000 (approximately US$70) or less, determined via market research to ensure accessibility.[46] Opening and closing ceremony tickets were priced higher, up to ₩900,000, reflecting demand for high-profile events.[47] Sales progressed unevenly, with early figures showing challenges in attracting buyers amid geopolitical tensions and remote location concerns. By October 2017, only 30.3% of Olympic tickets had been sold, though 59.7% of the allocation for foreigners was reportedly committed, including some to resellers.[48] Sales reached over 60% by December 2017 and 61% (655,000 out of 1.07 million available) by early January 2018, prompting concerns of undersold events.[45][49] Ultimately, over one million tickets were sold across the Olympic and Paralympic Games, marking a commercial success despite initial shortfalls.[50] Attendance totaled over one million spectators for the Olympic events, contributing to record figures for a Winter Games, though exact unique visitor counts are not comprehensively documented in official post-event summaries.[50] The Paralympic Winter Games set a separate record with 320,531 tickets sold, surpassing prior benchmarks.[51] Factors influencing attendance included discounted pricing for locals, bundled packages, and last-minute promotions, though remote venues limited walk-up crowds compared to urban-hosted Games. Logistics emphasized efficient transport across dispersed venues in Gangwon Province, leveraging the rural setting to avoid severe congestion seen in prior Olympics like Rio 2016.[52] Key infrastructure included high-speed rail from Incheon International Airport to Seoul and Pyeongchang (approximately 1.5-2 hours), supplemented by shuttle buses and dedicated Olympic routes.[53] Pre-games concerns from national Olympic committees focused on accommodation capacity and rail reliability, prompting POCOG to allocate an additional ₩3 billion (US$2.77 million) in February 2018 for transport enhancements, including more vehicles and contingency planning.[54] North Korea's late participation added complexities, requiring coordinated border crossings and security protocols for their 229-person delegation via the inter-Korean route.[55] A 24/7 multilingual hotline (+82-2-1330) provided real-time support for navigation, accommodations, and emergencies.[56] Overall, operations minimized disruptions, with no major systemic failures reported despite the challenging terrain and winter conditions.Ceremonies
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony took place on 9 February 2018 at Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium, which has a capacity of 35,000 spectators.[57] It commenced at 20:00 KST and featured a three-hour program emphasizing themes of peace, harmony, and technological progress.[58] The event drew approximately 35,000 attendees and highlighted inter-Korean reconciliation amid geopolitical tensions.[59] Directed by executive creative director Song Seung-whan, the ceremony incorporated traditional Korean elements such as the white tiger symbolizing protection, alongside futuristic projections and augmented reality displays representing motion and unity.[60] [61] Performances included the Olympic torch relay theme song "Let Everyone Shine" by Insooni and a segment with Psy performing "Gangnam Style" during the U.S. delegation's entry.[62] [63] A prominent segment was the parade of nations, where delegations from 92 National Olympic Committees entered the stadium.[64] North and South Korean athletes marched together as the first group under the Korean Unification Flag, carried by South Korean bobsledder Won Yun-jong, symbolizing diplomatic efforts for peninsula peace.[65] [66] IOC President Thomas Bach delivered a speech underscoring Olympic values, the inclusion of North Korean athletes, and the Refugee Olympic Team. South Korean President Moon Jae-in then declared the Games open.[66] The cauldron was lit by figure skater Kim Yuna and cross-country skier Sohn Ji-hun, marking the symbolic start of the competitions. The ceremony faced technical disruptions, including failures in augmented reality systems and broadcasting glitches, which organizers investigated as a potential cyberattack. Analysis later linked these to the "Olympic Destroyer" malware, deployed against Olympic networks, though attribution remained unconfirmed by officials.[67] [68]Closing ceremony
The closing ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics occurred on February 25, 2018, at PyeongChang Olympic Stadium, commencing at 20:00 KST and lasting approximately two hours.[69][70] It featured a thematic emphasis on global unity under the motif "One World, One Family," beginning with a countdown segment that incorporated modern dance, giant snowglobes, and fireworks to symbolize harmony and closure.[69][71] Fewer athletes participated compared to the opening ceremony, reflecting the Games' conclusion, with performers including K-pop artists and elements previewing the Beijing 2022 Olympics, such as panda motifs representing the host's cultural symbols.[71][72] A parade of nations followed, where athletes entered the stadium in a unified procession, though Russian participants, barred from using their national flag due to doping sanctions, marched under the Olympic flag.[73] Speeches highlighted the event's diplomatic undertones; International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach addressed the audience, praising the Games' role in fostering dialogue amid geopolitical tensions and affirming the IOC's commitment to ongoing Olympic principles even after extinguishing the flame. South Korean President Moon Jae-in also spoke, underscoring themes of peace on the Korean Peninsula.[70] The ceremonial handover of the Olympic flag marked the transition to the next host, with PyeongChang Mayor Sim Jae-guk receiving it from the IOC before passing it to Bach, who then delivered it to Beijing Mayor Cai Qi, signaling preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics.[74] Bach formally declared the Games closed, extinguishing the cauldron amid a finale of music, lights, and athlete interactions, including collective dancing and singing to reinforce international solidarity.[69][75] The ceremony concluded the PyeongChang edition, which had featured 2,920 athletes from 92 nations competing in 102 events.[69]Competition
Participating nations and athletes
A record 93 delegations participated in the 2018 Winter Olympics, comprising athletes from 92 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) plus the Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) contingent, surpassing the 88 NOCs at the 2014 Sochi Games.[76] [77] In total, 2,952 athletes competed across 102 events, with women comprising approximately 43% of participants, reflecting ongoing efforts to increase gender parity in Winter Olympic sports.[78] [79] Russia's participation was restricted following the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) suspension of the Russian NOC on December 5, 2017, due to evidence of state-sponsored doping at prior Games; clean athletes were permitted to compete as OAR under a neutral flag and anthem, with 169 ultimately invited after vetting by a special IOC panel.[5] [80] The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) sent a delegation of 22 athletes, marking its return after skipping the 2014 Games, with participants in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, short track speed skating, and a unified women's ice hockey team.[81] This unified team, approved by the IOC on January 20, 2018, combined South Korean players with 12 DPRK athletes, while both nations marched together under a single "Korea" flag during the opening ceremony as a diplomatic gesture.[4] [82] Several nations made debut or near-debut appearances, including Ecuador, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Singapore in alpine skiing, though three qualified NOCs—Cayman Islands, Dominica, and Peru—ultimately withdrew their athletes.[77] Largest delegations included Norway (109 athletes), Germany (153), and host nation South Korea (144), with the United States fielding 107 across multiple disciplines.[79] All participating athletes underwent mandatory doping controls, with the IOC emphasizing re-testing of samples from prior Olympics to uphold integrity amid the Russian restrictions.[5]Sports and events
The 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, encompassed 102 medal events across 15 disciplines in seven primary sports categories: biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating, and skiing.[2] [79] This marked the first Winter Games to exceed 100 events, reflecting program expansion to enhance gender equity and spectator appeal.[83] Six new medal events debuted: men's and women's big air snowboarding, men's and women's mass start speed skating, and mixed doubles curling.[83] Additionally, mixed team competitions were introduced in alpine skiing and figure skating, promoting team formats in traditionally individual disciplines.[84] The disciplines included:- Alpine skiing: Downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, combined, and super combined for men and women, plus a new mixed team event.
- Biathlon: Individual, sprint, pursuit, mass start, and relay events for men and women, with a mixed relay.
- Bobsleigh: Two-woman, two-man, and four-man races.
- Cross-country skiing: Sprint, team sprint, distance races, and relays for men and women.
- Curling: Men's, women's, and mixed doubles tournaments.
- Figure skating: Men's singles, women's singles, pairs, ice dance, and team event.
- Freestyle skiing: Moguls, aerials, ski cross, halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air for men and women.
- Ice hockey: Men's and women's tournaments.
- Luge: Singles for men and women, men's doubles, and team relay.
- Nordic combined: Individual normal hill/10 km, individual large hill/10 km, and team large hill/4x5 km.
- Short track speed skating: Distances from 500 m to 1500 m, relay events for men and women, and mixed relay.
- Skeleton: Men's and women's individual races.
- Ski jumping: Individual normal hill, individual large hill, and team large hill for men; individual normal hill for women.
- Snowboarding: Parallel giant slalom, snowboard cross, halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air for men and women.
- Speed skating: Distances from 500 m to 10,000 m for men and women, plus team pursuit and mass start events.
Schedule and key competitions
The competitions of the 2018 Winter Olympics occurred from February 9 to February 25, 2018, spanning 17 days and encompassing 102 events across 15 disciplines in seven sports, marking the first Winter Games to exceed 100 medal events.[1] The opening ceremony took place on February 9 at Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium, with the first medal events awarded on February 10 in alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing, luge, and snowboarding.[87] [88] The closing ceremony concluded the Games on February 25 at the same venue.[87] Events were distributed across venues in the Gangwon Province, with snow sports primarily at Alpensia and Yongpyong in the mountains and ice events at Gangneung's coastal facilities, allowing for parallel scheduling of multiple disciplines daily.[89] Alpine skiing opened with the women's downhill on February 11, followed by men's events and technical races through February 24; cross-country skiing ran from February 10 to 24, including pursuits, relays, and mass starts; and biathlon competitions, combining rifle shooting and skiing, spanned February 10 to 23.[88] Freestyle skiing and snowboarding featured new additions like big air, with events from February 10 to 22, emphasizing aerials, moguls, halfpipe, and slopestyle.[1] Ice disciplines included speed skating from February 10 to 24 at Gangneung Oval, introducing a mass start event; figure skating, which began with the team event on February 9 and continued through the pairs, ice dance, and singles to February 20; and short track speed skating from February 10 to 21.[88] Curling competitions, including the new mixed doubles format, ran from February 8 (practice) to February 24; ice hockey featured women's play from February 10 to 21 and men's from February 15 to 25; and skeleton, bobsleigh, and luge events clustered mid-Games, from February 13 to 25 at the Alpensia Sliding Centre.[89] Key marquee competitions included the figure skating gala exhibition on February 25, alpine super-G races on February 15-16, and the men's ice hockey gold medal game on February 25, drawing significant global attention for their high-stakes formats and athlete performances.[1]Results, medals, and records
Norway topped the medal table with 39 medals, including a leading 14 golds, marking its most successful Winter Olympics performance to date.[3] Germany tied for the most golds with 14 but finished second overall with 31 total medals.[3] The host nation, South Korea, achieved its best Winter Olympics result with 17 medals, including five golds, primarily in short track speed skating and speed skating.[3] The following table summarizes the top ten nations in the official medal standings:| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway | 14 | 14 | 11 | 39 |
| 2 | Germany | 14 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
| 3 | Canada | 11 | 8 | 10 | 29 |
| 4 | United States | 9 | 8 | 6 | 23 |
| 5 | Netherlands | 8 | 6 | 6 | 20 |
| 6 | Sweden | 7 | 6 | 1 | 14 |
| 7 | South Korea | 5 | 8 | 4 | 17 |
| 8 | France | 5 | 4 | 6 | 15 |
| 9 | Switzerland | 5 | 3 | 5 | 13 |
| 10 | Austria | 5 | 3 | 5 | 13 |