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PyeongChang unveils emblem for Paralympics

October 29, 2013
A performer dances during a ceremony to unveil the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympic emblem at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap

A performer dances during a ceremony to unveil the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympic emblem at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, Tuesday.
/ Yonhap

By Jung Min-ho

The PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG) unveiled its emblem for the Paralympics Tuesday at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul.

“The true meaning of Paralympics lies in transcending barriers between people and people with physical challenges and creating a society without prejudice,” POCOG President Kim Jin-sun said. “The emblem is the symbol of the movement.”

The emblem is designed using the Korean character, “Chang,” which stems from the last syllable of “PyeongChang.”

The shape of the word embodies snow, ice and winter sports, and the use of two “Changs” symbolizes the harmony between Olympians and Paralympians, the POCOG explained.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven attended the ceremony and received a memorial tablet from Kim.

“On behalf of the IPC and the whole Paralympic movement, it gives me great pleasure to be here for the launch of the PyeongChang emblem,” Craven said.

The former wheelchair basketball player said it is meaningful how far the Paralympic movement has come since 1988, when the Seoul Games achieved a milestone by hosting the Paralympics directly after the Olympics for the first time.

Philips said he still has “great memories of my time here,” noting that the Paralympics will bring much more than just sporting events.

“I can absolutely promise you the Paralympians here in PyeongChang will deliver a transformation of societal perception and will create new horizons for millions around the world,” Craven said.

President Park Geun-hye did not attend the event but delivered a congratulatory message through Yoo Jin-ryong, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

There, she promised to give “sincere” support for organizing the event and encouraging the public to pay more attention to the “valuable” competitions.

Yoon Seok-yong, the president of Korea Sports Association for the Disabled, and Gangwon Province Governor Choi Moon-soon also attended the ceremony and promised their respective cooperation.

The Paralympics will be held from March 9 to 18 in 2018, following the Olympics from Feb. 9 to 25.