Olympic Torch Relay leaves Seoul and clocks up 80th day
The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Torch Relay is moving ever closer to its destination: the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium and the Opening Ceremony of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games on 9 February. Starting the week in the capital Seoul, it continued its journey northwards to the cities of Goyang and Paju, clocking up its 80th day in the process. We bring you the latest news as the Olympic flame presses on with its epic journey around the Republic of Korea, revealing yet more of the past, present and future of this fascinating country.
Having already spent two days in Seoul, the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Torch Relay continued its four-day visit to the capital on Monday 15 January. Gracing the city for the first time since the Olympic Summer Games of 1988, the Olympic flame began the day at Jamsil Baseball Stadium. Featuring large on the day’s roster of torchbearers was Hwang Young-cho, the winner of the men’s marathon at Barcelona 1992.
The Torch Relay’s final destination for the day was the National Museum of Korea, an important showcase of Korean cultural heritage, where a modern dance performance entitled “On the Snow” was conducted along with a fascinating fusion of Irish music and Pansori, the Korean genre of narrative song.
Seoul’s National Cemetery and its National University were among the stops on Tuesday 16 January. Seol Hyun, a member of the all-female K-pop group AOA, was among the torchbearers as the Olympic flame made its way to Yeouido Hangang Park, where the festivities included a multimedia firework show and an orchestra performing the piece “One People, One Harmony”.
The Torch Relay took a break on Wednesday 17 January with the 11th of its 13 Relay for Everyone events, which took place at a hospital for sick children outside Seoul.
The Olympic flame was on the move again the following day, heading away from the capital and deeper into Gyeonggi Province, in the northeastern corner of the country. Its final stop of the day was Ilsan Culture Park in Goyang, a very popular spot with the city’s residents. As well as cheerleaders, students from the Goyang High School of Arts were on hand to welcome the Olympic flame, staging a Korean dance performance in its honour.
Friday 19 January was Day 80 of the Olympic Torch Relay, with the Olympic flame making its way to the border town of Paju. After passing Paju City Hall and Heyri Art Valley, the Olympic Torch Relay ended the day at the Mangbaedan Memorial Alter in Imjingak Park, where a show entitled “Dynamic City, Paju” was performed.
The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Torch Relay continues on Saturday 20 January, when it will reach Yeoncheon County.
The Olympic Games PyeongChang 2018 Torch Relay has three official partners: Worldwide TOP Partner Coca-Cola, which is continuing its long-running support for the Olympic torch relays, Worldwide TOP Partner Samsung and national partner KT. For further information, please go to the PyeongChang 2018 website.