InsureYourCompany.com Gears Up for the 2018 Winter Olympics!

The world is setting its focus on Peyongchang, South Korea as it prepares to host the 23^rd Winter Olympic Games starting this weekend. Located 80 miles east of Seoul and 60 miles from the demilitarized zone, this will be the second time South Korea hosts the Olympic Games (the first was the 1988 Summer Olympics!).

InsureYourCompany.com is looking forward to what the best athletes the world have to offer in this year’s games!

The tradition started with the Ancient Greeks. The Olympic Games are a competition that foster international camaraderie among athletes and spectators alike. Though there are dark marks in its history, it still stands as an honored tradition that brings humans closer to humanity. The Olympics are a time to come together in peace and competition, to put aside our differences and respect the achievements of human excellence.

At this year’s games, there will be six new countries in the competition: Ecuador, Eritrea, Kosovo, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Singapore. You’ll certainly see them at the opening ceremony, but we can’t say the same for Russia…

There will also be four new events this year: Big Air Snowboarding, Freestyle Skiing, Mass Start Speed Skating, and Mixed Doubles Curling. There are now 102 medal opportunities.

So, who are some athletes InsureYourCompany.com is looking forward to seeing? We’re hoping Lindsay Vonn will bring home some gold for Alpine Skiing, as well as Shaun White winning his third Olympic medal.

With 93 countries competing for gold, all of your favorite winter sports will be shown, including:

• Alpine Skiing
• Biathlon (Cross-Country Skiing and Rifle Shooting)
• Bobsledding
• Cross Country Skiing
• Curling
• Figure Skating
• Freestyle Skiing
• Ice Hockey
• Luge
• Nordic Combined (Cross-Country Skiing and Ski Jumping)
• Short Track Speed Skating
• Skeleton Sledding
• Ski Jumping
• Snowboarding
• Speed Skating

However, if you were hoping to see one of your favorite NHL players at the Winter Olympics this year, you’ll be sorely disappointed. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made it clear in April 2017 that NHL players will not go to South Korea.

Even though the competitions are what everyone really wants to see, it’s always fun to see how cool the mascots are (or how bad… don’t think we forgot Phevos and Athena or Wenlock and Mandeville).

For this year’s mascot, South Korea has picked a white tiger named Soohorang. The tiger is a powerful symbol within Korean mythology, and it represents a guardian symbol in Korea. The name of the tiger is also significant, where “Sooho” means protection (for the athletes, the country, the spectators, etc.) and “Rang” is derived from “ho-rang-i,” the Korean word for Tiger. What a meaningful and interesting choice!

The games start on February 8^th, but the opening ceremony will be on Friday night, February 9^th. If you’re looking to tune in, remember to check your local listings to see when it airs and what channels it will be available on.

From everyone at InsureYourCompany.com, we wish all the athletes and participants in the 2018 Peyongchang, South Korea Winter Olympic Games the best!