Host city PyeongChang, South Korea, has been busy in preparation for the 2018 Winter Olympics, which begin next week. It will be Korea’s first time to host the winter games since the Seoul Olympic Games 30 years ago in 1988.
Arriving teams and media personnel captured all the excitement around the city and shared their excitement on social media.
American skeleton racer Matt Antoine praised the Olympic Village lodgings, which is expected to host 2,925 athletes representing 90 nations. The village provides all the comforts of home, including shops, post offices, and various places for worship.
All checked into the @Olympics village! Room is nice, food is good, volunteers are awesome, and the weather is cold. Ready for these Games! #PyeongChang2018 #TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/G1r10MS37V
— Matt Antoine (@MattAntoine) February 3, 2018
Anchor/reporter Andrew Wittenberg sets up shop.
Our home for the next 23 Days. @KSL5TV #PyeongChang2018 pic.twitter.com/BTTBWJ3Eb0
— Andrew Wittenberg (@KSLAndrew) February 4, 2018
The speed skating venue is quiet now, but it’s ready for some serious action next week.
Gangneung Science Oval it is pic.twitter.com/Dj0NkIjGDT
— LuukBlijboom (@BrasiLuuk) February 2, 2018
Ghana’s first skeleton athlete, Akwasi Frimpong, proudly makes his temporary lodging space a home.
#Family on the wall #Ghana flag on the wall. My #Olympic home for the next 3 weeks! #Ghanaskeleton🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/DlgUQ603Mc
— Akwasi Frimpong OLY (@FrimpongAkwasi) February 4, 2018
American journalist Melissa Block and former co-host of NPR’s All Things Considered news program captured several technological and cultural discoveries in PyeongChang.
She posted “Some of what we’ve seen on our first day in Pyeongchang for the #Olympics.”
Some of what we’ve seen on our first day in Pyeongchang for the #Olympics. 1. freaky mechanical fish at the media center pic.twitter.com/3SXz9BNnkF
— melissa block (@NPRmelissablock) February 4, 2018
A robots gets a time-out.
2. Robot cleaner (out of service) pic.twitter.com/KIgltRkZGb
— melissa block (@NPRmelissablock) February 4, 2018
In December 2017, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that qualifying Russian athletes who’ve complied with the IOC’s doping regulations will be competing as “Olympic Athletes from Russia.”
The enforcement came after the Russian doping controversy, in which 42 Olympic medals were revoked due to doping violations 2014 Sochi Winter Games.
However, on Thursday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned lifetime Olympic bans from doping violations on 28 Russian athletes, citing lack of sufficient evidence.
Block observed how this room was particularly quiet.
3. Verrry quiet office so far pic.twitter.com/CuidTL8gho
— melissa block (@NPRmelissablock) February 4, 2018
It’s obvious who the sponsors are for the winter Olympics. But the Korean toothpaste brand was definitely not a sponsor.
4. Bath products in room: Pantene and Olay, are P&G, an Olympic sponsor. Korean toothpaste: not a sponsor. So they covered up the brand name with a white label. Because Olympics. pic.twitter.com/mnglOiRKx2
— melissa block (@NPRmelissablock) February 4, 2018
The small, white sticker was a poor attempt at concealing the Korean toothpaste to begin with.
5. (I took the label off:) pic.twitter.com/Vc2tFlYQDq
— melissa block (@NPRmelissablock) February 4, 2018
Not the peel-off label😂Hotel staff is snickering in the kitchen like yeah we ‘fixed it!’ #MarketingStrategy
— Isha🔸Isha (@IshaxIsha) February 4, 2018
Several nations were represented in the library.
Very cool lending library of Korean books translated into other languages. (#TeamLithuania represent!) pic.twitter.com/nC2B7lJr9S
— melissa block (@NPRmelissablock) February 4, 2018
7. I borrowed a book of poetry by Do Jong-Hwan: pic.twitter.com/isPA4Cf1oe
— melissa block (@NPRmelissablock) February 4, 2018
Work in progress.
8. A broken door. And a promise. pic.twitter.com/VhlRyyisD9
— melissa block (@NPRmelissablock) February 4, 2018
They even had a party bus for the media.
9. Disco lights on the media shuttle bus. #nprlife #pyeongchang2018 #olympics2018 pic.twitter.com/pcrnhlslj7
— melissa block (@NPRmelissablock) February 4, 2018
AP sports writer Stephen Wade filmed the scenery during his arrival.
On the road to Pyeongchang Olympics. Piste in the distance. pic.twitter.com/trI6FH4G0z
— Stephen Wade (@StephenWadeAP) February 4, 2018
TV anchor for NBC, ATL, Cheryl Preheim shared her point of view.
Nice view out my work space window of #Olympic park @pyeongchang2018 #11Alive pic.twitter.com/KUUU0qooNV
— Cheryl Preheim (@CherylPreheim) February 4, 2018
Chief writer and journalist for United Press International, Elizabeth Shim, filmed a sight that was in step with all of the excitement.
Cool staircase at Gangneung bus terminal pic.twitter.com/o90c2V3pCv
— Elizabeth Shim (@GlobalAsianista) February 3, 2018
Sports marketer Beth MacDonnell received a warm welcome.
Made a new friend today named #Soohorang. #PyeongChang2018 pic.twitter.com/nVr4U3uEC6
— Beth MacDonnell (@bethmacdonnell) February 4, 2018
American speed skater and silver medalist, Brian Hansen, is looking situated and ready.
Good morning from South Korea! #TeamUSA #Olympicvillage #Pyeongchang2018 pic.twitter.com/8rWimvx7rg
— Brian Hansen (@BrianTHansen) February 4, 2018
So many positive vibes headed your way @BrianTHansen . Take some time to enjoy every moment.
— Orlando Ribbon Project/ The Ribbon Maker (@orlandoribbons) February 4, 2018
Sports broadcaster, Eilidh Barbour, may be freezing, but the majestic view can’t be beat.
First look at our #PyeongChang2018 studio. It’s -17 today and yes, it’s outside 😬 We’re bringing you the full Winter Olympic experience! ☃️🇰🇷 @BBCSport pic.twitter.com/dyDSgZmPon
— Eilidh Barbour (@EilidhBarbour) February 4, 2018
Canada represented.
Welcome to the team house. #Pyeonchang2018 pic.twitter.com/Imiqad4Jp8
— Canada Snwbrd Team (@CanadaSnowboard) February 4, 2018
Two-time Canadian gold medalist, Catriona Le May Doan, catches up on some R&R before the competition.
Enjoying the @TeamCanada athlete lounge watching retro #OpeningCeremony 1992 Albertville with @KBoyer93 @BobCANSkel pic.twitter.com/ZHFK62LniP
— Catriona Le May Doan (@Catrionald) February 4, 2018
Great to see #Pyeonchang2018 @TeamCanada @cccski athletes and the surrounding beautiful venues pic.twitter.com/OASs15aKBC
— Catriona Le May Doan (@Catrionald) February 4, 2018
NPR Southern Bureau Chief, Russell Lewis, shows a welcome gift.
Made it to the Olympic Media Village in Gangneung. There are even these special embroidered towels #pyeongchang2018 pic.twitter.com/XXtUkNUkBx
— Russell Lewis (@rdlewis) February 4, 2018
The 2018 winter Olympic games start February 9 – 25. Best of luck to all the competitors.
Let the games begin!

H/T – Twitter , Wikipedia , Comic Sands