Sports
20:39, 16-Feb-2018
Chinese athletes and volunteers celebrate Spring Festival at PyeongChang 2018
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Friday marks the first day of China's Spring Festival holiday. Chinese athletes and volunteers in PyeongChang found time to celebrate and ring in the New Year, even though their nearest and dearest weren't by their side.
A celebration was held at China House in PyeongChang for New Year’s Eve. IOC President Thomas Bach attended the celebration, and offered his Chinese New Year's wishes.
Plenty of dignitaries at the gala, including former IOC head Jacques Rogge, along with the current speed skating coach for China Li Yan.
2014 silver medalist in speed skating Zhang Hong and veteran figure skater Zhang Hao take to the stage, and lead a group of athletes in singing "Happy New Year".
Liu Jiayu, who won silver in halfpipe at these games, writes the Chinese character of "Fu" in calligraphy, which means "fortune". Other athletes make dumplings, a traditional custom to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
IOC President Thomas Bach expressed his holiday greetings to the country's Olympians, and said 2018 is "a very important year for Chinese sports" with the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in sight, which he hopes "China can make even stronger, even bigger and even more universal".
Meanwhile, to help make all of the Chinese participating in and working at the Games in South Korea feel at home, the famous Chinese noodle restaurant Kangshifu set up shop near the Gangneung Athletes Village to ring in the Spring Festival.
For many of the Chinese here at the Olympics, this is their first Spring Festival away from their homes and families. But any feelings of homesickness were assuaged by the wonderful meal, traditional decorations, and great company as they were able to make new friends and create lasting memories to ring in the Year of the Dog.
The Winter Olympics are such a special event and the celebration of sport is made even more memorable as it's taking place over the Spring Festival, and the holiday also gives millions of Chinese more time to watch the events and cheer on their compatriots as they chase glory at the Games. All that’s left to say is Happy Chinese New Year, and my best wishes to you for the Year of the Dog.