South Korea have built and renovated a total of 13 venues for the 2018 Winter Olympics – here are five of the best:
Olympic Stadium
Hosts the opening ceremony on February 9th and closing ceremony on 25th. When PyeongChang originally bid for the Games, it planned to hold the ceremonies at the Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre (below). Afterwards it was decided that a new stadium should be built for this, plus all medal ceremonies. The stadium is a 35,000-seat pentagon based in Hoenggye.
Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre
Home to Gangwon FC, making them probably the only football team in the world with a ski jump next to their pitch. The stadium is nestled in the Taebaek Mountains and will have 11,000 seats for the Games. It will host the nordic skiing as well as ski jumping.
A gorgeous view from the Alpensia Ski Jumping Centre in PyeongChang where the test event for #PyeongChang2018 took place over the weekend pic.twitter.com/ZsWU7ubOSJ
— Olympics (@Olympics) February 6, 2017
Phoenix Snow Park
The centrepiece of the Games. Perched on Taegisan Mountain, Phoenix is the finest ski resort in South Korea, with 22 slopes and a stunning location. It will hold 18,000 spectators for the Games – 10,200 seated and 7,800 standing – for both snowboarding and skiing.
[Ready to Go! #4 Phoenix Snow Park ]
Here will be the venue for freestyle skiing and snowboard. ⛷
직관하려면 https://t.co/Ii2AVAVzbO pic.twitter.com/HG2wZIq7B2— PyeongChang 2018 (@pyeongchang2018) September 25, 2017
“We want to ensure they (athletes) have their time of their life with the best facilities possible. We are well on the road to achieving that.
“Infrastructure including the high-speed rail (connecting Pyeongchang with Incheon airport) and highways are already done. We will be the biggest winter Games ever and we aim to be the most athlete-focused.”
Lee Hee-beom, president and CEO of the Pyeongchang Organizing Committee for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games
Alpensia Sliding Centre
Luge, bobsleigh and skeleton will be held here. The track is exactly 2,018m long and starts at 940m above sea level, with the finish at 800m. Holds 7,000 spectators and organisers say it is one of only 16 such facilities in the world.
Take a look at the construction site of Alpensia Sliding Centre, a venue of 3
sliding sports in #PyeongChang2018! pic.twitter.com/C9DHwe1rUj— PyeongChang 2018 (@pyeongchang2018) March 2, 2016
Gangneung Ice Arena
❄⛸❄⛸ The Gangneung Ice Arena has been officially opened. It will host ice sports at the Olympic Winter Games @pyeongchang2018 in South Korea pic.twitter.com/6yhMM3LiTy
— Olympics (@Olympics) December 17, 2016
Will host figure and speed skating. Completed last year and has two rinks – one for training and one for competition. Has a 12,000 capacity and impressive facade, which is lit up at night.
