PyeongChang Olympics Open! Most Nations and Regions Ever Participate in Winter Games! Japanese Team Wins Medals Early On!

February 9: The PyeongChang Olympics opened.
(Photo: Fort Kishimoto)
This marks the first time in 30 years that the Olympics are being held in South Korea and the third time the Winter Games have been hosted in Asia.

Approximately 2,900 athletes from a record 92 countries and regions in Winter Olympics history will compete for medals across 7 sports and 102 events over 17 days until the 25th.
The Games' slogan is "Passion. Connected."

Six new events have been added: the men's and women's mass start in speed skating, the men's and women's big air in snowboarding, the mixed team event in alpine skiing, and the mixed doubles in curling.

Japan is sending a total of 267 people, including 123 athletes and 144 coaches and staff.

Related article:PyeongChang Olympics: Japan National Team Formation Ceremony & Farewell Party Held[2018.01.26]
　

After the fourth day of competition, Japan got off to a promising start: Daichi Hara won bronze in men's moguls, Miho Takagi took silver in women's 1500m speed skating, and Sara Takanashi earned bronze in women's ski jumping.

Additionally, high hopes are pinned on other top athletes like Noriaki Kasai (ski jumping), Nao Kodaira (speed skating), Akito Watabe (Nordic combined), Yuzuru Hanyu (figure skating), and Ayumu Hirano (snowboarding) for medal wins.
Furthermore, the Japanese team's performance in Pyeongchang is drawing attention as a way to boost momentum for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

■ Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony took place at the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium starting at 8:00 PM, with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in attendance.
In the pentagonal venue symbolizing the Olympics, five children performed a live-feeling show incorporating various technologies. Their performance followed a story of traveling from the past to the future, featuring traditional dance, hip-hop dance, singing, and fireworks and flame shows.
Japan entered 62nd in the athletes' parade. Led by flag bearer Kasai, the team marched energetically, beaming smiles.

North Korea, participating under special arrangements, entered alongside the South Korean delegation as "Korea." The two nations formed a unified team to compete in women's ice hockey. Approximately 170 athletes from Russia, barred from participation due to doping issues, competed individually as OAR (Olympic Athletes from Russia).

The final torchbearers were female athletes from both Koreas, passing the flame to former figure skater Kim Yuna, who danced beneath the cauldron. As Kim Yuna lit the flame, the ring of fire rose, igniting the cauldron designed to resemble a traditional Korean white porcelain jar. The venue reached its climax.

Toshiro Muto, Secretary General of the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee, who attended the ceremony, commented: "The powerful production, making full use of LED and technology, was impressive. It was a wonderful festival of peace. My anticipation for welcoming the world's athletes in about 900 days has grown. True to the PyeongChang Games' slogan, we want to firmly carry this enthusiasm forward to Tokyo."

The opening ceremony, broadcast live on NHK General TV, recorded an average viewership rating of 28.5% (Video Research Ltd., Kanto region), achieving high ratings.

Official Games Website:
https://www.pyeongchang2018.com/jp/