Excitement is high as the 2018 winter Olympics is approaching. It is scheduled to take place in PyeongChang Korea from February 9th to the 25th. This is the second time that Korea will be hosting the olympics, however there is a debate of whether or not Korea is the best location for the olympics this year. Thousands of people are expected to fill the audience of the games and spend hours outside in the cold weather. According to CBS news, the mountain locations are expected to have temperatures of below 10 degrees fahrenheit without wind chill. This will leave the spectators at risk for hypothermia. Although measures are being taken to keep them warm, many are worried about the weather and several analysts predict that the audience amount will decrease.
Another major issue being discussed about the upcoming olympics’ location is the threats of terrorism and war. Many people are concerned about the nation’s proximity with North Korea, with just 50 miles between PyeongChang and the demilitarized zone (CBS news). The threat of North Korea’s nuclear weapons and past violence have many people nervous about the security of the athletes and spectators. The government of South Korea is working hard to ensure the safety of everyone during the Olympics. Thousands of people have not been allowed to enter the country for security purposes and the Olympic Security Force is preparing for the worst. They have been performing drills for every possible scenario, such as kidnappings, chemical bombs, drone attacks, and others. This extensive preparation has helped ease the tensions of people all around the world.
Despite the anxiety surrounding the Olympics, many people have a very enthusiastic outlook. This year 102 events will be held, making it the first ever winter olympics to have more than 100 events. Some of the most anticipated sports are ski jumping, speed skating, figure skating, the bobsleigh, snowboarding, and alpine skiing. With so many events there is something for everyone to get excited about. The Olympics offers an opportunity for many different countries to unite despite how broken the world may seem. It is a competition that brings out the pride in many citizens from the United States to all over the world. The 2018 Olympics may face a numerous amount of challenges, but ultimately it is connecting people to one another whether they are watching it through the television or cheering on the slopes.
