Mascot, song and choreography for YOG Gangwon 2024 unveiled

Gangwon (FIL/19 Jan 2023) In one year it will start and the Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024 will be opened. Therefore, exactly 365 days before, January 19, 2023, a ceremonial event was held at the Pyeongchang Yongpyong ski resort. The mascot, theme song and choreography developed by local youth were unveiled on this occasion.

Mascot Moongcho represents a snowball that was created from a snowball fight between Soohorang and Bandabi, the mascots of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Like its predecessors, Moongcho is full of sportsmanship and ties in with the legacy of PyeongChang 2018. Wearing goggles and a scarf, the mascot waits with a beating heart for the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, just like the athletes.

Moongcho's name is derived from the Korean word "Moongchida," which means "bringing together different thoughts and forces." Created by Korean student Soo-Yeon Park, Moongcho is a leader with a lot of passion and courage who always reaches out to help.

IOC President Thomas Bach commented, "The unveiling of the mascot is always an important milestone, and today, one year later, we can be confident that the youth of the world will have an outstanding experience during their time in Gangwon. The organizing committee has capitalized on the legacy of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, appointing inspiring ambassadors and assembling a young and enthusiastic team that will make athletes feel right at home. We can look forward to truly great Youth Winter Olympics, with great sporting performances in the Olympic spirit of solidarity and peace."

The Gangwon 2024 YOGOC also unveiled the official song for the Games, titled "We Go High." The song expresses the growth of the young people who are joyfully participating in the YOG and symbolizes the peaceful future they are creating. The winner of the song contest, music student Keun Hak Kim (25), included in the lyrics a message to the young athletes to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams at the YOG. The song is sung by Keun Hak Kim, young artist Choi Seo-Yeon and the ChunCheon City Youth Choir.

The accompanying choreography was first performed at the PyeongChang event held a year earlier by a group of 60 young people made up of local students, a dance team and athletes who are part of the Dream Program administered by the PyeongChang 2018 Legacy Foundation.

Coordination Commission Chair and IOC member Hong Zhang said, "Engaging and mobilizing local youth is a top priority. Young people have the power to shape and change our society in ways that are both important and meaningful. By giving them the opportunity to engage in sport and instill Olympic values, we can empower them to become role models in their communities. Gangwon 2024 is not just about competing, it's about empowering local youth to reach their full potential and contribute to building a better future for all.

In line with its vision - "Youth celebrate peaceful coexistence and unity through sports to build a better future together" - YOGOC Gangwon 2024 aims to actively engage young people and empower them to share their opinions and grow together through their participation.

The mascot and song come from nationwide public competitions that the YOGOC held last year for young people between the ages of 14 and 24.

The 4th Winter YOG Games will be held in Gangwon, Republic of Korea, from January 19 to February 1, 2024. The first Winter YOG in Asia will provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills and compete with their peers on an international level. Gangwon 2024 will benefit from the legacy of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics by using several of the same facilities for the YOG. About 1,900 athletes from 81 National Olympic Committees are expected to participate.

For more information on the fourth Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Winter Games, visit the following link: Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games (olympics.com).