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Torch bearer Lee Jeong-min (KOR) lights the cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Winter Youth Olympic Games 2024 in Gangneung (KOR) @GettyImages

Thrills on ice and a stepping stone to success: a preview of the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024

Greetings to all ISU followers. My name is Jeroen Adriaanse, a 26-year-old sports reporter from the Netherlands, and I am thrilled to take you with me during the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024.

Throughout this blog series, I will be your on-the-ground reporter, offering an insider's perspective on Gangwon 2024 that is set to take place from 19 January - 1 February, with the Republic of Korea becoming the first Asian nation to host the winter edition of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).

Join me as we delve into the inspiring stories and unforgettable moments that will unfold on and off the ice of the Gangneung Oval (for Speed Skating) and the Gangneung Ice Arena (for Short Track Speed Skating and Figure Skating) in the heart of Gangwon.

 

Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon

The Youth Olympic Games hold a special place in my heart. As part of the IOC Young Reporters Programme, I was fortunate enough to cover two previous editions: Buenos Aires 2018 and Lausanne 2020. And now it is time to follow another group of bright young athletes on behalf of the ISU at Gangwon 2024. 

It is not just about the results for me; it is about embracing the spirit of the Games, joy and determination, and the pure thrills that the different sports bring. This blog will therefore be your go-to source for all things Gangwon 2024, from Figure Skating to Short Track and Speed Skating.

 

Breeding ground for champions

The Winter YOG have proved to be a great showcase for future stars of the ISU circuit and Winter Olympics. So let’s take a closer look at some of the top names from previous editions.

Having trained under the guidance of his father, two-time Olympian Kagiyama Masakazu, figure skating literally runs through Kagiyama Yuma’s (JPN) veins. Kagiyama junior began his Olympic journey at the Lausanne 2020 Winter YOG, where he won gold in the Men’s Singles and clinched silver in the Mixed NOC Team Event.

Fast forward to Beijing 2022: Kagiyama, now a household name in the sport, claimed silver in the Men’s Singles and helped Japan earn bronze in the Team Event with a mesmerizing free skate. And his star continues to rise.

Much like Kagiyama, his compatriot Uno Shoma (JPN) first captivated audiences at the Winter YOG, too. An outstanding figure skater, Uno won bronze in the Men’s Singles at Innsbruck 2012 and continued his brilliance on the Olympic stage with a silver in Singles at PyeongChang 2018 and bronze (Singles and Team) at Beijing 2022, cementing his status as a dynamic force on the global Olympic stage

Other notables? Short Track sensation Hwang Dae Heo (KOR) won an extraordinary gold medal in the Men’s 1000m at the Lillehammer 2016 Winter YOG. Becoming a consistent winner on the ISU World Cup and World Championships circuit, he also won Olympic silver in the 500m at PyeongChang 2018 and achieved his biggest success at Beijing 2022, with Olympic gold in the 1500m.

In the women’s field, Shim Suk Hee (KOR) left her mark at the Innsbruck 2012, dominating the YOG competition with victories in the 500m and 1000m. Shim, with an ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship title to her credit, went on to secure Olympic gold at Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018 as a key member of the Relay formation, triumphing in the 3000m events.

Also making waves at Innsbruck was Suzanne Schulting (NED). Although she missed out on a medal in the Speed Skating competition in Austria, the now 26-year-old Schulting surely gained valuable experience on her road to becoming a Short Track superstar.

 

Names to watch out for

And some future Olympic stars will undoubtedly be competing at Gangwon 2024. But which athletes are likely to announce themselves on the big stage? Here are just some of the names to watch out for.

As a long-time Speed Skating powerhouse, the Netherlands continues to churn out impressive talent in the sport. The 16-year-old Angel Daleman (NED) is next in line; she surely is ready to shine.

Daleman became the youngest ever Allround World Junior Champion in Speed Skating at the ISU World Junior Speed Skating Championships in Inzell, Germany, last year. And (cue drum roll) she is going to compete in both Speed Skating and Short Track at Gangwon 2024.

Team USA is also stacked with talent, including the 16-year-old Kyungeun Jang. The Seoul-born racer is eager to represent Team USA in her birth country - and calls Choi Min Jeong (KOR), a four-time ISU World Short Track Speed Skating champion, her inspiration.

Elsewhere, Victor Chartrand (CAN) adds experience to the Canadian team. He competed at the ISU Junior World Cup events in the Netherlands earlier this season. The Short Track skater contributed to Canada’s podium success by securing bronze in the 3000m Men’s Relay and 2000m Mixed Team Relay.

The Junior Figure Skating category is also brimming with talent. On the Men’s side, Adam Hagara (SVK) hopes to leave his mark once more. He surely is an exciting prospect, as he became the first Slovakian skater to win an ISU Junior Grand Prix event in Austria last year.

Looking at the women’s field, Shin Jia (KOR) is poised to dominate for years to come. Having won the Korean national title in 2023, she has already put her rivals on notice. Shin will face competition from compatriot Kim Yuseong (KOR), who bagged silver at the ISU Junior Grand Prix events in Hungary and Thailand.

Shimada Mao (JPN), meanwhile, knows she will be at the centre of attention at the Games. The 15-year-old prodigy has so far won every Junior Grand Prix event and ISU Junior Grand Prix Final she competed in. Named after Asada Mao (JPN), the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic silver medalist and three-time world champion, Shimada is aiming to add Youth Olympic gold to her cabinet.  

These are just some of the names of people to look out for, and we be will sharing more insights over the course of the next couple of weeks.

 

Competition schedule

Okay, that’s a wrap for the review. But before I leave you, let’s take a quick look at the programme for Short Track and Figure Skating at the Gangneung Ice Arena and for Speed Skating at the Gangneung Oval.

There are five Figure Skating disciplines part of the Youth Olympic programme in the Ice Arena. The list: Men's Singles; Women's; Pairs; Ice Dance; and a Team Event. Check out the Schedule here and here.

Meanwhile, there are going to be seven Short Track events contested, namely: Men's and Women's 500m, 1000m, and 1500m, and the Mixed Team Relay. Full schedule.

The seven Speed Skating disciplines at the Oval will be the Men’s and Women’s 500m, 1500m, Mass Start, and the Mixed Relay. Full Schedule.Bovenkant formulier

It is almost time for Day 1 of competition (Saturday), so make sure to get ready for a thrilling ride as we gear up for Gangwon 2024.

You can watch the live stream of the competitions here.