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By Kyla Brewer TV Media P laying in the snow may not be everyone's idea of a good time, but when the temperature dips, some people can't resist the thrill of winter sports. Fans of skiing, hockey, skating and much more are gearing up for one of the most highly antici- pated Winter Olympics in recent memory, and this year's host city is ready to welcome the world with the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics open - ing ceremony, airing on Friday, Feb. 9, on NBC. When all is said and done, the people of the Republic of Korea will celebrate the excitement of the Games with the closing ceremo - ny, set to take place on Sunday, Feb. 25. Approximately 2,900 athletes from 95 coun- tries will come together to compete in more than 100 events in 15 differ- ent sports during the Pyeongchang Games, and billions of people are expected to tune in around the world. Beginning this year, Mike Tirico takes on the challenge of host - ing NBC's coverage of the Games, taking over for sportscasting legend Bob Costas, who literally passed the Olympic Torch on to Tirico in February of last year. The opening ceremony welcomes viewers both in Pyeongchang and around the globe and provides organizers with a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on South Korea's rich culture. The Pyeongchang Organizing Committee (POCOG) wasted no time in finding a director for the high- profile event and in 2015 chose Song Seung-whan to serve as the executive creative director of both the opening and closing ceremonies, a post he ac- cepted with enthusiasm. "It's a great honor to join Pyeongchang 2018 as executive creative direc- tor for the 2018 Olympic Games' ceremonies," Song said in a state- ment at the time. "I will devote my best efforts to orchestrate exciting and memorable ceremonies." Song is a well-known theater and television actor in his homeland, and he has become interna- tionally renowned for his musical show "Nanta," also known as "Cookin'" or "Cookin' Nanta." The show, which features a mix of music, comedy, cooking and traditional Korean samul nori rhythm, has become a hit in Korea and around the world. "Nanta" earned an award for best performance at the 1999 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and became the first Asian musical to be performed on Broadway in New York in 2004. Song is well qualified to oversee the Olympic cer- emonies, which include a mix of traditional and new elements highlighting the culture of the host country. POCOG president Yang-ho Cho was confident Song would produce ceremonies worthy of the Games. "His experience and creative talent will prove to be valuable assets in producing ceremonies that will harmoniously connect our passion, tradition and cosmopolitan culture to the international audi- ence," he said of Song. Both the opening and closing ceremonies will take place in the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium, a temporary pen- tagonal structure with seat- ing for 35,000. Built specifi- cally for the ceremonies, the stadium is expected to be dismantled following the Games. However, the venue has been the subject of controversy since it opened with a concert featuring K-Pop acts this fall. Some 30,000 fans packed into the stadium to enjoy the popular style of Korean music, but a few were reportedly later treated for hypothermia. The incident sparked concern about the structure, which doesn't have a roof to protect audi- ences from the wind. Though February brings even colder temperatures to Pyeongchang, organiz- ers are confident that the stadium is a suitable venue for both the opening and closing ceremonies. According to a December Reuters article, organizers plan to combat the cold with hot packs, blankets and audience participation. K-Pop artists will likely heat things up with their acts, which are expected to be a part of the open- ing ceremony. In addi- tion to cultural perfor- mances and speeches from officials, the opening cer- emony will feature the traditional Parade of Nations, during which most of the athletes expected to compete in the events will march into the stadium, country by country. Greece usually enters first because of the country's historical significance as the birth- place of the Games, with the host country typically entering last. Spectators will note the absence of Russia, which was banned from the Games because the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reported it had found evidence of manipulation of the anti- doping system. However, Russian athletes may still compete as Olympic ath- letes of Russia. One of the most thrilling moments of any Olympic opening ceremony is the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, following the official Olympic torch relay, which has been underway in the host nation since Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017. Over the course of the 101 days leading up to the opening ceremony, torchbearers will have carried the torch to 17 cit- ies across South Korea. The Olympic flame will shine brightly until it's extinguished at the closing ceremony, but not before the Parade of Flags, during which flagbearers from each country march into the stadium followed by athletes no longer grouped by distinction or nationality. The tradition of bringing the athletes to- gether began in 1956 and is expected to continue in Pyeongchang. Let the Games begin Pyeongchang shines a spotlight on South Korea in opening and closing ceremonies Photo: Virginia Sherwood/NBC Sports PyeOngcHang Mike Tirico makes his debut as NBC's prime- time Olympic host, receiving the Olympic torch from sportscaster Bob Costas 14 2.4.2018 By Kat Mulligan TV Media F or the first time ever, South Korea has the honor of hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics. What better location than Pyeongchang, with its largely mountainous terrain and tranquil Buddhist temples. While the largest city in the region is called Pyeongchang-eup, the entire county of Pyeongchang plays various parts in the Olympic festivities, with Daegwallyeong-myeon as the focal point. Pyeongchang is exceptionally popular with hikers who find them- selves lured by the call of the Taebaek Mountains, the range that averages an elevation of 750 metres. Pyeongchang is also a worthwhile selection based on its lengthy, snow-filled winters, which will certainly benefit skiiers, snow- boarders and other Olympians ready to go for the gold. The region of Pyeongchang is well prepared for the competitions, with two ski resorts already well established and beloved by locals and tourists alike. Alpensia ski resort is home to the bulk of the Olympic activities. The resort's development began more than a decade ago, with high ambitions that it might one day play host to the Winter Olympics, a desire now fully realized. The current successful state of Alpensia was not always so, however, as financial difficulties that occurred during 2012 increased the threat of bankruptcy. Still on slightly rocky fiscal footing, there is much hope that the increased tourism and exposure of Alpensia during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics will help to increase the resort's popularity and spur financial growth. Grouped together in the Pyeongchang Mountain Cluster, Alpensia is com- prised of the Biathlon Centre, Cross- Country Skiing Centre, Ski Jumping Centre and Olympic Sliding Centre. Alpensia's grounds boast extensive runs and exclusive sections for snow- boarding. In addition, the Phoenix Snow Park, Jeongseon Alpine Centre and Yongpyong Alpine Centre also find their place amongst the Alpensian clus- ter. Yongpyong, the largest ski resort in the nation, was selected to host the technical Alpine skiing competitions. Events that require the slick, frozen surface of ice can be found in the Gangneung Coastal Cluster, located in Gyo-dong, Gangneung. Both the Kwandong Hockey Centre and the Gangneung Hockey Centre will see a plethora of pucks drop, while the Gangneung Curling Centre promises to sweep spectators up in rock fever. A favorite of the Winter Olympics, figure skating finds its home alongside short track speedskating at the Gangneung Ice Arena, with more speedskaters trying to outpace one another at the Gangneung Oval. As part of the official Olympic require- ments, Pyeongchang has developed the Korea Train Express (KTX) high-speed rail link. KTX, which was first made available to riders on Dec. 22, 2017, provides a high-speed connection between Seoul and Pyeongchang. The three main rail stations in Seoul, along with Incheon International Airport, are all connected to the line for direct service. The speed of the train allows for widely compressed travel times, with trips no longer than two hours and many major routes taking little over an hour. The rail's impact extends well beyond the conclusion of the Olympic Games, as a once largely remote and isolated portion of South Korea is now more easily accessible to its citizens. Long after the Olympians have left the slopes, a new crop of local winter sport aficionados will be twisting and turning amongst the fresh powder of the Pyeongchang mountain ranges. With so much of the Winter Olympics format traditionally solidified and expectations clear in terms of sporting events, what tends to really embolden the spirit of the competitions is the unique qualities of the countries that play host to this global celebration. Cultural events, which often began with the meticulous planning of the opening and closing ceremonies, are spread out in such a way as to share the spirit of South Korea. The Pyeongchang Olympic Plaza is more than just a space for the daily awarding of medals. There, too, is found the Culture-ICT Hall, highlighting aspects of Korean life and tradition, alongside various games and events meant to embody the Olympic passion. To assist in spreading the spirit of the Olympics, Pyeongchang's mascot, Soohorang, has a name that quite literally translates to "protection tiger," or the guardian of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. This adorable white tiger, an emblematic symbol of Korea, watches over the festivities, partici- pants and spectators, inciting joy and a healthy competitive camaraderie between nations and athletes. Years of dedicated planning and a deep desire to succeed — despite the threat of potential resort bankrupt- cy — have brought the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics to life. With the region's glorious mountains, ideal winter sport conditions and state-of- the-art, high-speed KTX rail lines, all the right moves have been made to potentially make Pyeongchang's Winter Games one of the best held yet, nearly 100 years after its debut. This humble, isolated, winter-loving region now finds itself sparkling under the global spot- light, with the 2018 Winter Olympics commencing Friday, Feb. 9. The roar of rivalry The Olympic spirit echoes throughout Pyeongchang The stunning Olympic Sliding Centre in Pyeongchang