Launch of Pictograms
With 350 days to go, the official sport pictograms for the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, comprising of six images, were unveiled on March 24 by the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG).
The PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games vision is to open up New Horizons – the hope of enlightening people around the world to discover Korea and what the country has to offer, as a winter sport and travel destination through the world’s largest sporting event. The pictograms are designed to showcase this vision using Korean alphabet known as Hangeul.
Like the Olympic pictograms that were launched at the start of the year, the lines of the Hangeul letters are reflected in the pictograms representing the six Para sport disciplines for the Paralympic Winter Games. The uniqueness of these symbols cement the identity of the Games and also introduces Korean history and culture to their global audience.
The six Paralympic winter sports are Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboard and wheelchair curling.
POCOG President Lee Hee-beom said: “The Paralympic pictograms were designed in such a way that they are easily identifiable with the sports they represent and they tell a story about Korea and our culture. Every Para athlete will bring their amazing spirit and passion to the Games and we see that shine through across all six sports that the pictograms represent. Now is the time for people to create their own passion and excitement around the Paralympic Games and also learn more about Korean culture.”
Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, said, “The launch of the pictograms marks another landmark in the build up to the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.”
“The pictograms will serve as a communication platform to help raise awareness of the six Paralympic winter sports across multiple channels between now and the Games. They will help to assist all those engage in the Games by giving them an idea of what they can expect when the event opens on March 9.”
From March 9 to 18, 2018, these emblems will come to life as more than 650 athletes compete for glory.
Tickets for the Paralympic Games will go on sale later this year and people can look forward to 10 days of fun and excitement that will build on the back of the energy and exhilaration created across PyeongChang from the Olympics just a few weeks prior. Heroes will be created, memorable moments will be captured and experiences will be shared that will never be seen again in the mountains and on the ice.
Before then there is one final Para test event on the calendar in the Gangneung 2017 World Para Ice Hockey Championships from 11-20 April at the Gangneung Hockey Centre. The top five teams will automatically earn their spot for PyeongChang 2018 so the teams will be counting on some passionate and vocal crowds to cheer them onto glory.