2018 Winter Olympics 9-25 Feb., PyeongChang

[Natalka]

The official mascots for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

A white tiger named “Soohorang” and an Asiatic black bear named “Bandabi” will each represent the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Both animals appear in Korea’s foundation mythology and are closely associated with Korean culture and folklore.

Tigers traditionally represent the shape of the Korean peninsula; the white tiger especially is considered a sacred guardian animal. Its color is also indicative of the snow and ice of winter.

The bear is symbolic of strong will and courage. The asiatic black bear is also the symbol animal of Gangwon Province.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/sports/...d#.Wl9pHRvg4wU

[Natalka]

Figure skaters Tessa Virtue, Scott Moir named Canada's flag-bearers




Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir will be the first-ever Canadian woman and man to carry the Canadian flag into an Olympic opening ceremony on Feb. 9 in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The 2010 Olympic ice dance champions will try to return to the top of the podium after placing second in Sochi, Russia four years ago.

The three-time world champion ice dancers will make history as the first woman and man – and first duo, period – to carry the Canadian flag into the opening ceremony.
"This is undoubtedly the pinnacle of our career," Virtue said at Tuesday's news conference from inside the House of Commons in Ottawa. "The honour of carrying the Canadian flag into the opening ceremony at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang brings with it a sense of duty, privilege and above all, great pride.

Virtue, from London, Ont., and Moir, from Ilderton, Ont., will lead a Canadian contingent of about 230 athletes into PyeongChang Olympic Stadium, a 35,000-seat, open-air facility in Hoenggye village.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/wa...hang-1.4489152

[Natalka]

The medals, which range in weight from 586 grams for the gold medal to 493 grams for the bronze, reflect the traditions and culture of the host nation. Their design was inspired by the texture of tree trunks, with the front bearing the Olympic rings and dynamic diagonal lines that reflect both the history of the Olympics and the determination of the participants. On the reserve, meanwhile, are stated the discipline, event and the PyeongChang 2018 emblem. In total, 259 sets of the medals have been made.

They are the work of celebrated South Korean designer Lee Suk-woo, who incorporated Hangeul – the Korean alphabet and the foundation of Korean culture – into their design through a series of consonants symbolising the effort of athletes from around the world, who will come together as one to compete at PyeongChang 2018.
The ribbon from which the medal hangs is an equally important part of the design and has been created using gapsa, a traditional South Korean fabric. The light teal and light red ribbon from which the medals hang is also embroidered with Hangeul patterns and other designs.

https://www.olympic.org/pyeongchang-2018

[Natalka]

Canada's 2018 Olympic, Paralympic team uniforms



The opening ceremony parka falls to the mid-thigh and features "Canada" emblazoned across the chest in bold white lettering. On the back is a large white Maple Leaf. Athletes will march in the closing ceremonies at Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium in red and black softshell jackets.

The Team Canada collection also includes buffalo check shirts, tuques and ball caps.

puffer jacket is for the medal podium

[Natalka]

Team Canada's figure skaters




some links

https://twitter.com/TeamCanada

https://twitter.com/hashtag/pyeongch...=news&src=hash

https://www.olympic.org/pyeongchang-2018

[Lynn49]

NOT impressed with those plaid shirts! They just reinforce the image of us all living in log cabins!! Can't we just have sophisticated outfits instead if looking like loggers?!!

[Natalka]

I agree, Lynn, and I'm not a fan of the puffer jackets, either....

[Natalka]

The opening ceremony for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang is growing closer by the day, and there’s good news: Team USA won’t be walking into the cold, cold stadium without special outfits. On Monday, Ralph Lauren released pictures of the outfits they designed for the opening ceremony, which include a tricolor coat with a heating element, a USA beanie, and a neck bandana, plus a sweater, boots, and jeans. Oh, and one more thing: a pair of tan fringed gloves

... gloves are causing a bit of controversy online...

[Natalka]

Russian competitors at next month’s Winter Olympics will be kitted out in predominantly gray uniforms with no national markings, in keeping with their status as neutral athletes after the national team was barred over doping allegations.

the official clothing supplier to the Russian Olympic Committee said they would carry a logo with the words “Olympic Athlete from Russia”.
“The neutral uniform comprises no symbols -- the flag or crest -- of the Russian Federation,” supplier ZASPORT said in a statement, adding that the uniform complied with rules laid down by the International Olympic Committee.

[Ciel]

At least the US athletes' gloves will grip objects more securely than Team Canada's applique centred knit mitts!

Norway's men's curling team has a very vibrant wardrobe for the Winter Games (you know you want the suits too!):
Attachment 338517
https://www.thestar.com/sports/olymp...ants-back.html

Some Korean dishes to be aware of during the games, courtesy of the food pages of the Toronto Star:
https://www.thestar.com/life/2018/01...an-dishes.html

You can also find some banchan (side dishes) and main courses in the Food & Drink Winter issue:
http://foodanddrink.ca/fooddrink/mag...FDWi18ENG.html

[Lynn49]

Wow, @Ciel . Maybe we're not so bad after-all.
No.
We still are, but not quite as embarassing as those Norwegian get-ups!!

[Ciel]

C'mon @Lynn49 , you would not tune into curling to see the Norwegians sweep sheet ice in those togs? I'd like to. Pity the suits don't have LED lights.

[Ciel]

When the Bay's flyer about two weeks ago featured items for the Olympic and Paralympic team, I really liked the Paralympic t-shirt! Not feeling the Buffalo check red and black look in other pieces.

Thanks, @Natalka , for this thread! Hope you find some fun things to see when you watch the Games. I am looking forward to more coverage of PyeongChang.

[Lynn49]

C'mon @Lynn49 , you would not tune into curling to see the Norwegians sweep sheet ice in those togs? I'd like to. Pity the suits don't have LED lights.

You're absolutely right, @Ciel . They missed the boat by not putting disco lights on them A pity to be sure.
Oh, we'll be watching the curling, absolutely. I just hope our team isn't wearing those buffalo plaid shirts!!

[Natalka]

Switzerland

The red and white colour combination, the letters "SUI" and the Swiss cross alongside the Olympic Rings are all key elements of the design.
It is claimed that those features "show the Swiss sports spirit and the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship".