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PYEONGCHANG STAGE PREPARED FOR SUCCESSFUL WINTER GAMESFollowing its ninth and final visit to PyeongChang on 29-31 August, the IOC’s Coordination Commission left the Republic of Korea confident that the city is prepared to welcome the world to the XXIII Olympic Winter Games. “Over the course of our three-day evaluation visit, PyeongChang’s readiness to host the Olympic Winter Games 2018 was highlighted,” said IOC Coordination Commission chair Gunilla Lindberg. “We saw first-hand the advances that have been made on venues and infrastructure, and heard updates on plans to further engage with Olympic fans. While details must continue to be refined in the coming months, it was evident that the Organising Committee is well on its way to delivering successful Olympic Winter Games.”For the final stop of their venue tour, the commission members visited Gangneung Olympic Park, where they were treated to a fine display of the excitement for PyeongChang 2018 from students from the nearby Gangneung Haeram Middle School. Prior to showing the Coordination Commission members how to construct a welcome gift that athletes and accredited media will receive when they check into their respective villages, the students snapped selfies with Olympic figure skating champion Yuna Kim, who earlier that day spoke about her own desire to help ensure the Games are a success.The commission also visited Gangneung Olympic Village, which will house approximately 1,000 athletes during the Games, and heard reports about athlete and National Olympic Committee (NOC) services, sport and International Federations (IFs), spectator experience, the Paralympic Games, marketing, venues, communications and engagement, and legacy.Meanwhile, representatives of Worldwide TOP partners, NOCs, all seven winter IFs and Korean government officials were on site to provide their feedback, which will be used to ensure the Games offer spectators and athletes the best environment possible.On 22 July, the theme song for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Torch Relay, “Let Everyone Shine”, was performed at the G-200 Fireworks Festival in Chuncheon, the capital of Gangwon Province. The theme song incorporates the slogan of the torch relay, which represents the Olympic flame that will spark dreams, passion and a future that opens up “New Horizons” for all. R&B singer Insooni, who has been named an Honorary Ambassador for PyeongChang 2018, performed the song live in front of thousands of excited fans.The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Torch Relay will begin in the Republic of Korea with the arrival of the Olympic flame on 1 November, which also marks 100 days until the Opening Ceremony. It is being supported by three official Presenting Partners: Worldwide TOP Partner Coca-Cola, which continues its long-standing support for Olympic torch relays, Worldwide Top Partner Samsung and local Partner KT.OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY SET TO ‘LET EVERYONE SHINE’Above The Olympic torch will be carried by 7,500 participantsBelow Local students joined the commission at the final stop of the venue tour