This Friday, the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games will start in the mountainous eastern province of Korea for a 14-day run. The organizing committee said on Tuesday that 1,803 athletes aged 15-18 from 79 nations will be competing in 15 sporting events. The previous Youth Olympics, held in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2020, attracted 1,784 athletes from 79 countries. With it, South Korea will now become the first Asian country to have hosted the Summer Olympics, the Winter Olympics and the Winter Youth Olympics. The 1988 Seoul Summer Olympic Games and the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games each held a distinct significance for South Korea. The country could phenomenally enhance its national image overseas, boosted by the 1988 Games. The 2018 Games offered rare opportunities for the two Koreas to seek a breakthrough in stalled inter-Korean relations. The Youth Olympiad started in 2010. In a recent interview with Korean media, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach acknowledged th at, by nature, public awareness and interest in the event are not currently very high. But he insisted there will be much for visitors to Gangwon to do on the sidelines. "The experience and legacy will be very tangible and all visitors will have the opportunity to be part of this Winter Games," Bach said. What makes the 2024 Gangwon Games meaningful is that Korea will get to reuse the Olympic facilities of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, the upkeep of which has been mostly handled by the province and other entities. Gangneung is home to the Olympic facilities for the ice events and the counties of Pyeongchang, Jeongseon and Hoengseong host the skiing, snowboarding and sliding facilities. More importantly, South Korea must demonstrate its commitment and thorough preparation this time. Just half a year ago, the government had to prematurely conclude the 25th World Scout Jamboree in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, due to a complete lack of readiness. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited the two major venues of Gangneung and Pyeongchang on Jan. 4 and urged the organizing committee and Gangwon Province to prioritize hygiene to the extent that it seems "overly excessive" and be mindful of unexpected winter contingencies such as bathrooms freezing. Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yu In-chon has been criss-crossing the four regional venues since Saturday, stressing that the government will "pay attention to every small detail and leave no stone unturned." The organizing committee, the regional city and counties have undertaken extensive cleaning of the athlete villages. In anticipation of potential cases of infectious diseases like norovirus, about 258 medical personnel have been deployed. With just a few days remaining, it is imperative that we exert every effort until the last minute. South Korea cannot afford to disappoint young people once again. South Korea's 102 athletes will compete for their medals, but the Youth Olympiad does not officially tally the medal race as it focuses on cultural educatio n and friendly exchanges among athletes. We hope it will be an opportunity for the athletes to compete and enhance their capabilities - with some coming out of the Youth Olympiad with their eyes set on the 2026 Winter Olympic Games to be held in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Also, the organizing committee and host cities and counties should focus on safety, as there are various virtual and offline cultural events and educational programs set to take place on the sidelines. Only through thorough preparations and a steadfast commitment to safety can hosts, participants, and visitors truly thrive and appreciate the value of the Youth Olympics. While memories may fade, it's important to note that this was the host province where Olympic diplomacy unfolded during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister Kim Yo-jong led a North Korean delegation to Pyeongchang, attending the opening ceremony. A joint Korean ice hockey team was created exclusively for the PyeongChang Olympics, and these developments fostered hopes for a reconciliation in inter-Korean relations. Such are the budding possibilities and aspirations that a peaceful international sports gathering can offer the world. Source: Yonhap News Agency