By Yoon Sojung

Video = Kim Sunjoo

The great international winter sports festival of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games kicked off on March 9. 

Under the theme of “Passion moves us,” the Opening Ceremony took place at the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium. The 2018 Winter Paralympics will last for 10 days, and some 470 athletes from 39 countries will display their capabilities. 

Passion and coexistence were the overall messages at the Opening Ceremony. 

The ceremony was composed of a series of culture and arts performances. There were drums that symbolize our heartbeat, a traditional court dance to welcome the athletes, the song “Possible Dreams” sung by a blind woman who was able to draw in the world, a wheel of passion that made all the people into one through sports and helped them overcome hardship and obstacles, and finally there was a sphere of coexistence where disability and non-disability were considered to be equal. All these programs expressed the meaning of passion and coexistence, heralding the beginning of another winter festival to unfold in Pyeongchang.

Han Minsu, the leader of the Korean para ice hockey team, climbs to the torch platform during the Opening Ceremony of PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, at the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium on March 9. (Heo Man-jin, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

The highlight of the ceremony was torch lighting. 

Korean cross country skier Choi Bogue and Ma Yu Chol of North Korea appeared in the stadium while holding the Paralympic torch together. The flame was handed to several other bearers and then to Han Minsu, who leads the Korean para ice hockey team, standing in the middle of the Hill of Challenge, the way up to the torch platform.

Despite his movement disability, Han climbed the steps to the platform by holding a rope with the flame attached, sending the message of passion and challenge to sports fans around the globe. 

The flame was then handed to Seo Soonseok and Kim EunJeong, the skip of the wheelchair curling team and the skip of Olympic women’s curling team. When the two lit the torch once again, fireworks were launched into the sky to celebrate the opening of the second chapter of the PyeongChang Games, while soprano Sumi Jo and singer Soyhang sang “Here as One” together. 

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons said, “If you dream alone, it will be just a dream, but if we dream together, it will become reality.” 

“For the next 10 days, you will see dreams become reality in Pyeongchang,” he said.

He also added that Korea has already been making dreams come true as it used to dream of hosting the winter Paralympics about 20 years ago, highlighting the meaning of the 2018 Winter Paralympics.

President Moon Jae-in waves to the crowds with IPC President Andrew Parsons after formally declaring open the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. (Heo Man-jin, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

Team Korea will compete in all Paralympic six sport disciplines. The 83-strong team, the largest ever in Korea’s Paralympic history, hopes to rank in tenth place in the overall medal standings by winning its first-ever gold, one silver and two bronze medals. 

North Korea made its first Paralympic appearance, too, as the IPC granted it a wild card place in these Games. It has two athletes, Mau Yu Chol and Kim Jong Hyon. Both athletes will compete in cross country skiing. 

Team Korea enters the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium as part of the Opening Ceremony for the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games on March 9. (Heo Man-jin, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

North Korea enters the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games on March 9. (Heo Man-jin, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

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