Final PyeongChang 2018 Chef de Mission seminar begins
01.03.2017Nearly 100 delegates from around the world are in South Korea for final updates ahead of next year’s Paralympic Winter Games.
PyeongChang, South Korea, is hosting the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.
© • Getty Images
Nearly 100 delegates from 33 countries are in PyeongChang, South Korea, this week for the Chef de Mission seminar ahead of the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.
Over the coming days, head of delegations will receive updates on preparations for next year’s event which is set to attract up to 670 athletes from 45 nations. They will compete in 80 medal events across six Paralympic winter sports.
On Tuesday (28 February) evening, National Paralympic Committees were formally invited to attend the Games by International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven at a special ceremony.
“The PyeongChang Games are the first of three Paralympics to be held in succession in Asia and are a huge opportunity for us to further raise awareness of Paralympic sport in this continent.”
Wednesday morning saw delegates receive a tour of the mountain venues that will host Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing and Para snowboard competition next year and the Paralympic village.
During Thursday and Friday’s plenary sessions, attendees were updated on various aspects of the Games including accommodation, accreditation, sport operations, transport and ticketing. Finally, the seminar finished with a tour of the coastal venues that will stage the Para ice hockey and wheelchair curling events.
Xavier Gonzalez, IPC CEO, said: “With almost one year to go until the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, this week’s final Chef de Mission seminar is an important milestone as final preparations get underway.
“The PyeongChang Games are the first of three Paralympics to be held in succession in Asia and are a huge opportunity for us to further raise awareness of Paralympic sport in this continent.
“I hope all of the delegations who attend this week receive all of the information they require to complete their preparations and will return next year with the best prepared winter Para athletes ready to inspire and excite the world.”
The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games will take place from 9-18 March next year.
