GANGNEUNG CITY ENG - 솔향강릉

    ​- Reunion after six years at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics -

    ​On March 31 (Wed.), IOC President Thomas Bach, an honorary citizen of Gangneung, visited the Gangneung Olympic Museum, which sheds light on the journey and the dedication of the people that led to the success of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

    ​The visit was organized with an invitation from Gangneung Mayor Kim Hong-kyu to welcome Mr. Bach to Korea for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, and it holds a special meaning as a special reunion with the people of Gangneung in six years.

    ​On March 10, 2018, shortly after the conclusion of the Winter Olympics, the city of Gangneung appointed IOC President Thomas Bach as an honorary citizen of the city for his significant contributions to the successful hosting of the Olympic Games, the creation of Olympic heritage, and the development of the Olympic city.

    ​At the welcoming ceremony, Mayor Kim Hong-kyu, on behalf of local residents, put a floral wreathe around the neck of Mr. Bach, who returned to the Olympic city after six years for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, the sixth Winter Olympics to be held during the mayor’s term in office, and personally gave him a tour of the museum for about 20 minutes.

    ​Members of Smile Gangneung (Chairman Kim Jun-rae), an organization that inherited the Smile Campaign, arguably the biggest legacy of the 2018 Winter Olympics, and is actively engaged in hospitality and volunteer activities for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics also welcomed Mr. Bach with great enthusiasm.

    ​Mr. Bach also checked out the Winter Olympics memorabilia and collectibles on display, the ice sports extended reality (XR) experience, the Volunteer Memorial Hall, as well as the six medals, Olympic trophies, and autographs that he personally donated to the city of Gangneung at the opening of the Gangneung Olympic Museum in May 2018.

    ​Mayor Kim Hong-kyu conveyed the admiration and gratitude of the citizens of Gangneung toward Mr. Bach by presenting him with Chochungdo, a beautiful painting of plants and insects by Shin Saimdang, in a mother-of-pearl frame, and honored Mr. Bach for having devoted great passion and dedication to the development of Gangneung.

    ​The Gangneung Olympic Museum was established by Gangneung City to preserve the glory and legacy of the 2018 Winter Olympics to be passed on to future generations and to safeguard the values of the Olympic brand of Gangneung. Exhibits include Olympic trophies, medals, torches, and commemorative badges among others from the 2018 Games, and visitors can learn more about the citizen participation that led to the success of the Games, such as volunteerism and the Smile Campaign.

    "Gangneung citizens have always regarded Mr. Bach, who had praised Gangneung as a true Olympic city and generously supported us six years ago during the 2018 Winter Games, as a family member and neighbor. [...] We will do our best to incorporate and develop the brilliant achievements and legacy of the two Winter Games which we held together with Mr. Bach into the culture of Gangneung,” said Gangneung Mayor Kim Hong-kyu.

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