PyeongChang Olympics to welcome record number of athletes

Figure skater Kim Yuna and Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon light a cauldron with the Olympic flame. / Yonhap

By Chyung Eun-ju, Park Si-soo

Ninety-two countries have applied to participate in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, a Winter Olympics record, the game’s organizer said on Wednesday.

The figure was announced a day after preliminary registrations ended Oct. 31.

The previous record was 88 countries set at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

The organizing committee is now receiving formal registrations, which will continue through Jan. 29. The PyeongChang Olympics will begin Feb. 9 for a 17-day run.

“A total of 2,943 athletes can qualify for the PyeongChang Olympics,” an organizing committee official said. “We are making final touches on arenas and other facilities. I believe a record number of countries and athletes will participate, making the PyeongChang games a global festival.”

North Korea has not yet expressed its intent to participate, the official said.

South Korea has invited its northern rival as a peace overture and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has promised to cover the costs of the North Korean athletes.

Olympic torch relay route / Graphic by Cho Sang-won