Russian Olympic Committee

The Russian Olympic Committee together with the Korea Tourism Organization embodied the ‘Road to Olympic Korea’ project within the Fans House project. Its main goal is to support the Russian Olympic team in the upcoming competitions and to promote the 2018 Games on the territory of the RF.

Legendary athletes became participants of the project, such as two-time Olympic champions in Figure Skating Tatyana Volosojar and Maxim Trankov, silvery and bronze medalist of the 2010 Olympic Games in Speed Skating Ivan Skobrev and two-time Olympic champion in Biathlon Svetlana Ishmuratova. They were joined by Anita Tsoy – honored artist of Russia, official ambassador of the House of Fans in Korea.

– Whether PyeongChang is ready for the Olympic Games or not? Yes, just as well as Sochi 4 years ago, said Anita Tsoy in the interview to the ROC TV. In general we had a very interesting trip. I met with the athletes, our Olympic Committee representatives and steeped into the preparation process.

We know, that this is not the first time that PyeongChang’s bid for the Winter Olympics. It finally received the right to host it. And now the Koreans are going out of their way, which shows. Although honestly, I can’t imagine how the opening and closing ceremonies will be held at the Alpensia Ski Resort, because in February icy winds are blowing there. It’s an open stadium because it was difficult and senseless to build a large indoor arena with a strong foundation. Although they promised to set up heaters and hot air blowers, hand warmers and mattresses. On the one hand it’s a little scary, on the other hand I know Koreans and I am sure that everything will go fine. They will throw their balls to the wall and heat us this or that way.

I liked the sports facilities a lot, although in the evaluation I rely on the athletes’ opinion. We tested the Olympic ice with figure skaters Tatyana Volosojar and Maxim Trankov. I skated with great pleasure without a single hitch, which means that the ice was smooth. The guys, as professionals, also liked it. They think that it is ready for the Olympics. We discussed the Biathlon track with Svetlana Ishmuratova. We could not inspect it in details, because no one is allowed to visit it, for safety reasons, but what Svetlana saw aroused a storm of positive emotions, and I trust her.

The hotels are ready. They are beautiful, there is enough food, the Koreans are excited, probably as we were when we hosted the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. I want more Russian fans to come to Korea, since these Games are different. This means, though it may sound dramatic, that now we must show patriotism and really prove our love and faith in our athletes, demonstrated that we support them and worry for them and for our country. I want us together to turn up the heat here and once again prove that Russia is the Best of the Best and that no one ever can beat our athletes. Guys, just don’t worry. You have a lot of fans, that will do everything  for your victories.

The ‘Road to Olympic Korea’ project demonstrates what ‘Korean sports and lifestyle’ means.

During a week-long trip around the coming Olympic Games sites our champions visited a few sports venues, including the Gangneung Ice Arena, where in February Figure Skating and Short Track competitions will take place, and Alpensia Ski Resort in Pyeongchang. They had a chance to visit the Olympic Information Center and to practice Biathlon and Ski Jumping in virtual reality.

They also experienced total immersion in the Korean culture and everyday life: in the village Minsokchon, Yongin, project participants dressed in traditional Korean clothes and discovered simple people’s lifestyle.

In Inchon the Olympians visited the Paradise City entertainment-business center, where they  admired world art masterpieces and visited the presidential Suite and casino. In Seul they climbed the Seoul Sky Observatory, located on the 123-floor of the country’s tallest building – the Lotte World Tower.

In Gangneung, the Russian delegation visited the Haslla Art World arts theme park, a cultural platform to showcase the works of Korean and foreign artists, the Ojukheon House, a historical monument of the XVI century (the oldest wooden structure in Korea). And, of course, visited the future House of Fans!