A year before the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korean officials have unveiled a torch made to withstand the region’s wintry conditions.
The white-and-gold torch has a sleek shape featuring five prongs to mimic the official, star-shaped logo of the city.
“I am confident that a new generation of Koreans will embrace the Olympic torch relay … and that the world will appreciate this important symbol of Korean design,” said Gunilla Lindberg, an International Olympic Committee executive.
Given the heavy storms common to South Korea at this time of year, designers employed a casing that provides extra oxygen to keep the flame burning in strong winds and has a drainage port for moisture to run through.
Torch-bearers will be outfitted in matching gold-and-white uniforms similarly made for icy temperatures.
U.S. Olympic Committee officials who recently visited Pyeongchang doubt the city will suffer the problems of past hosts that ran short of snow.
“It was cold and crisp, and the snow was fantastic,” said Alan Ashley, the USOC’s chief of sport performance. “Anyone coming to the Winter Games should really be prepared for winter.”
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