The 23es Winter Olympics are officially open since Friday, February 9, the athletes of both Korea ravelled together.
For the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games of PyeongChang, the flame was lit by Olympic champion 2010 of figure skating, Kim Yu–Na, but they are two hockey players of the plain team of Korea, one of North and the other of the South, which have passed the last relay to him, hand in the hand.
The opening ceremony of the 2018 Olympics of Pyeongchang in South Korea devoted a pacifist message, symbolized by a giant dove, under the notes of the song of John Lenon. The organizers had done one of it their promises: these 23es Games of winter will be those of peace, in a country which is still technically in war with its neighbor of North, the armistice signed in 1953 not being a peace treaty.
Little before the opening ceremony, South Korean president Moon Jae–in exchanged a handful of hand with Kim Yong–nam at the time of a reception in honour of leaders with PyeongChang. The two men will have sat with the top table, at the sides of the American vice–president Mike Pence and Japanese the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose two countries are regularly the target of the threats of Pyongyang.
A symbolic gesture, history and strong, still completely unimaginable a few weeks ago. “You all will inspire to us, to live in peace and in harmony, in spite of our differences”, the president of the International Olympic committee launched, the German Thomas Bach, for submission to the sportsmen brought together behind him in platforms.
These games are marked by the participation of 22 sportsmen of North Korea, who ravelled with the South Korean athletes, and by the handshake between Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the dictator North–Korean Kim Jong–Un, and South Korean president Moon Jae–In. As many symbols of Olympic truce, knowing that both Corées have been technically in war for more than 60 years, for these Olympic Games which want to be “the Games of Peace”.
More than 2900 athletes representing 92 States, nations or delegations will dispute the 102 titles decreed in seven sports and 15 disciplines lasting this fortnight, first important appointment of sport of the year 2018.
The procession of the athletes lasted one early hour, with the biathlète Martin Fourcade like colour–bearer for France. Only nation which did not have a colour–bearer, Russia which was suspended by CIO for institutionalized doping and which ravelled under Olympic flag.
On a lighter register, Tongien Pita Taufatofua, dressed in a traditional loincloth and barechested, also created sensation, whereas the temperature felt inside the stage was of -10 degrees.
The Siberian cold which made a beautiful incursion in South Korea these last days until – 27 °C, finally gave way to temperatures certainly winter, but much more bearable.
Eight hours ago of jet lag between South Korea and France. Thus, it will be necessary to rise the night to follow the live tests most of the time.
Biathlon will be visible at the mid—day. Sunday, February 11th, 12:15 in France, it is the hour for world Martin Fourcade, n°1 of the discipline, which will spring for the sprint. The 29 year old French, who is of now Tricolour more the medal–holder of the history of the Games of winter (4 medals including two out of gold), is expected the duel with the Norwegian Johannes Thingnes Boe.
Sunday, February 11, 03:00 in France. The male descent will be the first large appointment of the sporting fortnight, in the sport king of the Games, the Alpine skiing.
Monday, February 12, 02:15 in France. When Mikaela Shiffrin springs for the first sleeve of this giant slalom, it will also leave to the conquest a formidable harvest.
Monday, February 12, 04:20 in France. The dance on ice, where the French Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron will be the favourites, will deliver its verdict after the free program.
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Goodbye Pyeongchang, the Olympic flame was extinct