GANGNEUNG CITY ENG - 솔향강릉

- A variety of events from August 11th to 13th to create buzz for the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games -

   Gangneung City is set to host the 8th Gangneung Mayor's Citizen Curling Games and the 4th Ice Sports Festival at Gangneung Curling Center from August 11th(Fri) to August 13th(Sun) in an effort to create momentum for the successful hosting of the 2024 Gangwon Winter Youth Olympic Games.

   ​The event aims to increase the usage of the ice rink, spread the diverse appeal of curling, and foster participation and unity among citizens and youth, thereby expanding the base of ice sports suitable for an ice-friendly city.

   ​    The Gangneung Mayor's Citizen Curling Games, now in its 8th year, began in 2015 to commemorate G-1000 days until the Winter Olympics. This event celebrates civic unity where competitors representing regional areas show off their skills.

   ​    ​In this tournament, approximately 180 players from 29 teams across 21 towns, townships, and districts will participate. After preliminary rounds and group league matches, they will proceed to the 16-team tournament, where they will compete with intense passion.

   ​The 4th Ice Sports Festival, running concurrently with the curling tournament, is filled with a variety of programs to beat the summer heat while promoting the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games.

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   ​    ​ A “DJ Skate Night” offering a different DJ concept each day to enjoy skating has been a popular event each year. This year, it will also feature a special costume rental event to add to the fun of skating.

   ​    ​​ Visitors can relive old memories through ice sledding and spinning top experiences at the ice rink. At the same time, an array of cultural performances including youth concerts, busking, dance performances, etc., will be held on a specially installed stage.

      ​   ​Outside, a water hockey event, water gun battle, and other water games are planned, along with VR experiences and attractions that allow the whole family to enjoy winter sports virtually.

   ​   ​  Apart from some experiences like DJ Skate Night and rides, all are free of charge, and commemorative gifts will be given out through an Olympic rings stamp event in the leaflets.

   ​Additionally, to offer local youth the opportunity to experience ice sports, Gangwon 2024 ambassador and South Korea's short track star Choi Min-jeong, Park Jang-hyuk, and Lee Jun-seo, will step up as one-day special instructors.

   ​A Gangneung City official stated, "We will prepare an event that can present both emotion and fun to citizens and visitors through the only nationwide citizen curling tournament where all towns, townships, and districts will participate. The ice sports festival will utilize the ice facilities that remain a proud legacy of the 2018 Winter Olympics."

   ​The opening ceremony is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on August 11th (Fri) at the Gangneung Curling Center, in conjunction with the 4th Ice Sports Festival.