Olympic flag raised at the Queen’s Park as Korean, Canadian wish the success of PyeongChang Olympics
Feb. 9, 2018
Global Korean Post
The 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games opened in Korea on Feb. 9, 2018.
In Ontario, a special event was held in Toronto, hosted by the Korean community on Feb. 8th, just one day before the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games opening ceremony in Korea.
The Queen’s Park Pyeongchang Olympics Flag Raising Ceremony took place at the main Legislative Building of Ontario on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 12:30 p.m.
The event was hosted by the National Unification Advisory Council Toronto Canada Chapter in cooperation with the Ontario government, Raymond Cho MP’s constituency office and Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Toronto
In spite of the cold weather, not only dignitaries and distinguished guests but many Korean community leaders gathered in front of the legislative building of Ontario to celebrate the special ceremony for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and as well to cheer Team Canada and athletes to the Olympics.
The honoured guests included ministers, MPPs, politicians, government officers, community leaders and police officers.
Chung Tae-In, who is recently appointed as a Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Toronto, said at the congratulatory remarks as follow:
“It’s very cold. I am really really enjoing the Canadian cold winter. I am very pleased to hold this meaningful event with the legislative assembly of Ontario and National Unification Advisory Council. For the success of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, I would like to think all of you being here despite a really cold Canadian winter.
Premier Wynne in Canada’s Olympic player uniform delivered remarks at the Queen’s Park Pyeongchang Olympics Flag Raising Ceremony. At the beginning of her remarks, Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario said in Korean, “An-nyeong-ha-se-yo” meaning “Hello.” in English.
“I just want to say, I love the Olympics. I love watching the athletes. … I think sports has the power to bring people together in a way that just about nothing else does.” Premier Wynne said.
Premier Wynne also added that as she was running that morning, she thought about those young people who want to competing “How much work they have done for years to get to the point?”. She said, “Sports can make huge change in the world.” Premier Wynne concluded her remarks after mentioning about Canadian women players and Korea’s visitation a year ago, “I just want to also wish the Korean athletes all the very best and we will be cheering on them here, too. That’s a great thing of Canada. We cheer for all the teams.”
Following her remarks, Premier Wynn presented a certificate to Yeon-soo Kim, the president of the National Unification Advisory Council Toronto Canada Chapter.
Honoray Consul of Myanmar in Toronto, Bryon Wilfert, former Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment said, “This Olympics remind me two things. One, a great possibility we have through the sports in terms of achievement. The other is this game we know is a peace Olympic. The fact that we have a unified Korean team. There are possibilities to see that Kim Jon En’s sister will be coming to the games for the first member of the family to the Republic of Korea. “That is a hope beginning of a new chapter.”
After closing remarks by the president of the National Unification Advisory Council Toronto Canada Chapter, the Olympic flag raising ceremony was held, followed by Korean performance.
After that, all the guests moved into the Ontario legislative building to participate in another event.
The second sequence of the event to cheer Olympic players featured congratulatory remarks from may dignitaries and music performance and food. At the corner of the room, a photo zone was also arranged for the guest to take a photo along with PyeonChang Olympics mascots “Soohorang” and “Bandabi”.
Mark Gravett, Presidnt of Ontario Sports Hall of fame said in an interview with the Global Korean Post, “Absolutely delighted to be invited to the flag raising for the Winter Olympics in South Korea. Great celebration to cheer on Team Canada.”
Raymond Cho MPP told the Global Korean Post that PyeongChang Winter Olympics has a special meaning to have a united team. “I am thrilled we are celebrating in Ontario, Canada on the opposite side of the global village.”
Minister Moridi, Minister of Research, Innovation and Science said, “The PyeongChang Olympic bring the peace and prosperity for people around the world. Also, athletes from the various countries are participating and for the second time, I believe, that North and South athletes, they are joining together as a unified team being present at that sports. That is very good.”
Kim Yeon-soo said, “Tomorrow, the eyes of entire world will be on Korean Peninsula… Military tensions peaked in the Korean peninsula not too long ago. Now, the entire world will witness how peace and harmony can play together on this greatest of all sports stage. This is the power of Olympic spirits and its strength.”
This first historical event in Ontario required some procedures and preparation. Therefore, many members of the National Unification Advisory Council Toronto Canada Chapter had involved and cooperated to make the event successful.
The closing ceremony of 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games will take place at PyeongChang Olympic Stadium on Feb. 25, 2018 at 8 p.m. KST.
By Jasmine Kang, Global Korean Post
ⓒGlobal Korean Post
