The time has come again when athletes from all across the globe battle to represent their country. Everyone gathers around to watch the top athletes compete. The Olympic flame will travel from Rio, Brazil to Pyeongchang, South Korea, the host country for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. The last Winter Olympics were held in Sochi, Russia in 2014. The Olympics are held every two years, alternating between summer and winter games.

The Olympics originated in Olympia, Greece, and were held in Athens, Greece in 1896. They originally featured, “280 participants from 13 nations, competing in 43 events.” However, in 2014, there were 2,800 athletes taking part in the games, and in 2016, there were a whopping 11,000 athletes from 206 countries around the world that competed. The games were held in honor of Zeus, the leader of all Olympian Gods.

After the Greeks were defeated by the Romans, the Olympics declined, athletes participating were of lesser skill, and the standards/rules faded. According to History.com, “It would be another 1,500 years before the Games would rise again, largely thanks to the efforts of Baron Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937) of France.” A decision to revive the Olympics was set, and in 1894 the International Olympic Committee (IOC)was organized. Today, the IOC still manages the Olympics.

South Korea has been preparing long in advance to accompany so many tourists and athletes. They have revamped their roads, hotels, and restaurants, while also building new railways to help with transportation that connects to nearby airports. In addition, the South Koreans have also been preparing to protect native and foreign citizens.

Many are worried about North Korea’s actions lately, which are very concerning. From USA Today, a woman stated she, “...remains suspicious about North Korea, whose border is just 50 miles away.” Because of the nuclear threats being thrown between countries, police will be on high alert for the Olympics.

The two countries have started to work together to mend former problems that had developed between them, and also to gain more communication among them both. Kim Nak Jun, from South Korea, stated, “I think it’s a good attempt,” he said. “It could lead to more conversation between the two countries.”

According to North and South Korea agree to form first unified Olympic team, “It is the most striking breakthrough yet in a wave of sports diplomacy that began last week when the two countries sat down for the first time in more than two years to discuss the North’s participation in the Winter Games.” The rivaling Koreas have buried the hatchet and agreed to have a joint Women’s Hockey Team. They will also both be introduced under one flag, as they stride into the ceremonies.

There are a grand total of 15 events being held in the 2018 Olympics. They include Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Cross-Country Skiing, Curling, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Ice Hockey, Long Track Speed Skating, Luge, Nordic Combined, Short Track Speed Skating, Skeleton, Ski Jumping, and Snowboarding.

The U.S has a lot of very talented athletes that have a good chance of medaling. One, for instance, Chloe Kim, a 17-year-old American Snowboarder. “Chloe Kim, 17, easily secured her spot on Team USA in December. The California-based snowboarder was the first woman to land back-to-back 1080s in a competition last year and sits at the top of world rankings for the sport. She’s a favorite to win gold in the halfpipe event in Pyeongchang.” (TIME)

Don’t forget to represent the U.S. by wearing red, white, and blue, while cheering on our athletes. The Olympics begin on Friday, February 9, and close on Sunday, February 25. Tune in to NBC and NBCSN to watch the games. Live broadcasting begins at 7:00 p.m.

Works Cited

Calfas, Jennifer. “Complete List of 2018 Winter Olympic Sports and Who to Watch.” Time, Time, 3 Jan. 2018, 3:40 p.m., time.com/5068205/winter-olympic-sports-pyeongchang-2018/.

Maresca, Thomas. “North and South Korea Agree to Form First Unified Olympic Team.” USA Today, 17 Jan. 2018, 10:03 a.m., www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/01/17/north-and-south-korea-agree-form-first-unified-olympic-team/1039764001/.

Maresca, Thomas. “This Quiet South Korean City Prepares for Hordes of Foreigners at 2018 Winter Olympics.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 30 Jan. 2018, www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2018/01/30/quiet-south-korean-city-prepares-hordes-foreigners-2018-winter-olympics/1075742001/.

“Number of Participants/Athletes at the Winter Olympic Games from 1924 to 2014.” Stastista, Feb. 2014, www.statista.com/statistics/266324/number-winter-olympic-games-participants-since-1924/.

“Participants in Olympics.” Maps of World, 24 May 2016, www.mapsofworld.com/sports/olympics/trivia/number-of-participants.html.

Staff, History.com. “THE OLYMPIC GAMES.” History.com, A&E Networks, 2010, www.history.com/topics/olympic-games.