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2018 WINTER OLYMPICS

Key facts about 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang

The 23rd Winter Olympics will take place from February 9 to 25

© EPA-EFE/KIMIMASA MAYAMA

MOSCOW, February 8. /TASS/. PyeongChang (South Korea) will host the XXIII Winter Olympic Games from February 9 to 25, 2018.

PyeongChang was selected the host city of the 2018 Winter Olympics at the 123rd IOC Session in Durban, South Africa, in 2011, when it beat bids from Munich (Germany) and Annecy (France).

PyeongChang previously bid to host both the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, but lost to Vancouver and Sochi.

Read also

Moscow hails work of Olympics Organizing Committee —official

The 17-day Games will be the second Olympics held in South Korea since the 1988 Summer Olympics in its capital, Seoul.

The torch relay started on October 24, 2017 in Olympia, Greece.

On November 1, the relay entered South Korea. The 2,018 kilometer relay will last 101 days and will involve 7,500 torch bearers.

The opening ceremony of the Games will take place at the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium on February 9.

The 2018 Winter Olympics will feature 102 events in 15 sports, Alpine skiing, biathlon, bobsleigh, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, freestyle skating, ice hockey, luge, Nordic combined, short track speed skating, skeleton, ski jumping, snowboarding and speed skating.

The competitions will take place at two main venues, PyeongChang Mountain cluster and Gangneung coastal cluster.

Read also

At least 70 athletes from Russia to take part in 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony

The official mascots for the Games are Soohorang, a white tiger, and Bandabi, an Asiatic black bear.

Four new disciplines were introduced to the Olympic program in PyeongChang, including big air snowboarding, mixed doubles curling, mass start speed skating, and mixed team alpine skiing.

Some 3,000 athletes presenting 92 national Olympic committees will take part in the Games.

Six nations are set to make their Winter Olympics debut: Ecuador, Eritrea, Malaysia, Nigeria, Singapore and Kosovo (partially recognized state).

Russian athletes will compete under the designation ‘Olympic Athlete from Russia (OAR)’ following the doping controversy and suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee’s membership.

According to organizers, the cost of preparations for the 2018 Olympics, including the construction of all facilities, totals $12.5 bln.

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2018 Winter Olympics

FIB hopes new IOC president will help Russian teams return to international tournaments

The IOC’s tenth president will be elected at an upcoming session scheduled to be held in Greece in March 2025

Poll reveals what Russians think about office love, polyamory

It is noted that opinions are changing not only about relationships with colleagues, but also about romance between a subordinate and a supervisor

Roscosmos achieved significant progress in several major projects in 2024 — CEO

Yury Borisov announced that throughout next year, Roscosmos will continue working on the development of projects such as creating multi-satellite clusters, new launch vehicles, and Russia’s future orbital station

Putin shows initialed draft agreement with Ukraine to African leaders

"This draft agreement was initialed by the head of the Kiev negotiation team. He put his signature there. Here it is," the Russian president said

Nuke plant in Russia’s Voronezh region operating normally in wake of drone attack attempt

The conditions for safe operation of power units of the Novovoronezhskaya NPP have not been violated

FACTBOX: New Year’s key traditions reviewed

Russia has celebrated New Year and Christmas with decorated fir trees since Peter the Great’s reign

Press review: Putin discusses EU gas supplies and Russia open to Ukraine talks with Trump

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 27th

Ukrainian drone attacks Zaporozhye NPP center housing world’s only reactor hall simulator

The press service of the ZNPP noted that Ukrainian attacks at the nuclear facility were in direct violation of the principles of nuclear safety established by the International Atomic Energy Agency

Press review: EU preps for gas cuts via Ukraine as China boosts naval and air power

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, December 28th

Zelensky uses foul language, blames West for not providing help

In his opinions, Western partners were to attempt to "intimidate" Moscow by sanctions and arms supplies to Kiev even before February 24, 2022

CIA station in Kiev targeted in recent Russian attack, military expert reveals

According to Alexander Stepanov, strikes are systematic efforts to gradually wipe out the military capabilities of Ukraine

Iran bans Motorola phones following deadly explosions in Lebanon — media

Many online retailers have already removed the devices from their product listings or changed their status to "out of stock," the website notes

Almost ruled out: experts on Nord Stream 2 pipeline’s launch during Trump’s presidency

According to Alexey Belogoryev, Research Director at the Institute for Energy and Finance Foundation, the relaunch of the Nord Stream gas pipeline is much easier to do than it was with its initial putting into operation

Hamas yet to give list of hostages to be released, Israeli PM’s adviser tells TASS

"Israel has not received any names of abducted citizens at the [resumed] negotiations," the Israeli prime minister’s adviser Dmitri Gendelman said

Situation at Zaporozhye NPP under full control in terms of nuclear technology — Rosatom

Director General of Russia nuclear corporation Rosatom Alexey Likhachev noted that despite the ongoing shelling of both the coastline and the territory of the nuclear power plant, the city of Energodar is being revived

Free trade agreement with EAEU of great importance for Serbia, says deputy PM

Last year, Serbia’s trade with the EAEU countries reached 3.4 billion euro, with exports standing at 1.1 billion euro and imports - 2.3 billion euro

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

It is planned to launch it in general circulation in early 2025

Russia not satisfied with Trump team’s proposals on Ukraine — Lavrov

At the same time, Lavrov noted that Moscow has not received any official signals from the United States on the Ukrainian settlement at the moment

Range of Russian EMP weapons increased to 10 km — sources

Фn electromagnetic pulse lasts a fraction of a second and reaches the target almost immediately, travelling with the speed of light

UN Secretary General's office reacts to attack on Russian reporters in DPR

The UN opposes any attacks on journalists, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General, Farhan Haq

FACTBOX: What is known about Ukrainian drone attack on Russian reporters in DPR

TASS has assembled the main information about the incident

Russia to take proportionate steps, if US missiles appear in Japan — MFA

"Tokyo can get a clear idea what these steps will be like by studying Russia’s updated principles of nuclear deterrence policy," Maria Zakharova stressed

Four Ukrainian drones wiped out over Kursk, Belgorod regions

"Two drones each have been downed over the Belgorod and Kursk regions," the ministry said in a statement.

Moldova offered no help to Transnistria in resolving energy crisis, president says

He pointed out that, previously, the authorities of Transnistria have repeatedly asked Moldova to reject economic pressure measures

Fishing boat overturned in Japan — TV

Seventeen crewmembers were managed to be found during the rescue operation, with two of them died, NHK said

Liege court to consider whether EC President is immune to corruption charges

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Police computer outage at German airports resolved — daily

Earlier on Friday, police computer systems suffered almost four hours of outage at airports across Germany

US commercial satellites surveyed Russia’s Engels airstrip ahead of Kiev’s strike attempt

Earlier, it was reported that, on Monday morning, Kiev attempted to strike the two airstrips with Soviet-made jet drones in order to disable Russian long-range aviation planes

Russian stock market switches to decline after opening higher on Friday, yuan grows

The yuan slowed its growth to 13.764 rubles

Group of Syrian law enforcement officers ambushed in Tartus, 14 killed — minister

Previously, nine law enforcement officers were killed by gunfire during an operation to detain a high-ranking former officer of the previous government

Russian radio technical troops detected, tracked over 2 mln aerial objects in 2024

These include more than 600,000 foreign aircraft

Hamas agrees to free 34 hostages during first stage of deal with Israel — TV

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that the list was not prepared by Hamas but handed over by Israel last summer

Chinese envoy sees Moscow, Beijing supporting each other on key issues

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Russia’s freshly launched satellite transmits images of US, China, UAE

Data obtained from satellites in the Resurs-P series are used to study natural resources and monitor pollution and environmental degradation, water protection areas and natural reserves

Arrest warrant against Korean President to be extended — news agency

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Ukrainian projectile shot down over Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

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Israeli air force attacks over 100 military targets in Gaza Strip

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Syria may take four years to organize elections — new authorities

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Congress approves Trump’s victory in US Presidential election

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Moscow demands UNESCO to respond to murder of Russian journalists — MFA

Zakharova recalled that on January 4, as a result of a targeted drone attack by militants of the Kiev regime, Izvestia freelance correspondent Alexander Martemyanov was killed

Putin to traditionally attend Christmas service — Kremlin

The Kremlin official noted that additional details will be provided later

North Korea probably launched intermediate-range missile — news agency

The launch was from the Pyongyang area towards the Sea of Japan, according to South Korea

Armenia to drop ‘cognac’ use for its products by 2043 — Acting Deputy PM

Armenian producers are proactively discussing new names to substitute for the word

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Venezuelan parliament invites Maduro to assume third presidential term

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Nornickel CEO calls on Russian athletes to stay competitive amid isolation

"Maintaining competitive skills is key. Therefore finding good sparring partners is important for tactical reasons," he added

North Korea made first missile launch this year — Japan Coast Guard

This is the first missile launch by Pyongyang this year

Sentencing of Russian citizen Vinnik in US postponed until June 2025

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Several groups of Ukrainian soldiers ambushed in southern DPR — sniper

According to the Russian serviceman, four troops were captured and the rest retreated

Strategic partnership treaty between Russia, North Korea submitted to Russian legislature

The treaty, which was signed in Pyongyang on June 19, 2024, has been posted to the legislature’s database

Finland eyeing return of antipersonnel mines to inventory — president

Finland became the party to the Ottawa Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention in 2012

German MP Kiesewetter removes post that suggested Scholz-Putin meeting may be coming soon

Scholz himself dismissed Kiesewetter’s claims as "untrue" and "extremely indecent"

Two more oil spills detected off Anapa, Crimea in Russia's Black Sea waters

The Marine Rescue Service has started to collect the oily mixture, the Russian Emergencies Ministry said

Amman, Ankara coordinate efforts on repatriation of refugees to Syria — Foreign Minister

He noted that Jordan and Turkey as Syria’s neighboring states welcome the transitional political process in the Arab republic and would like to see stability restored there

UK to send 2,600 troops, 730 vehicles to NATO drills in Bulgaria, Romania

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Russian agency investigates causes of engine failure in Ural Airlines A321 jet in Egypt

According to the statement, the investigation will comply with the Russian rules of investigating air accidents

Russia says its Su-34 jet launched glide bombs at Ukrainian strongpoint in Kursk Region

Upon receiving confirmation from reconnaissance personnel that the Ukrainian manpower and strongpoint were destroyed, the crew safely returned to the airfield of departure

Up to 200,000 deserters in Ukrainian army, Verkhovna Rada MP says

Ukrainian troops are leaving their duties, as "bone-tired by the constancy of war, they are psychologically and emotionally scarred," the article reads

Putin’s contacts with Russia’s friends, including Vucic, promptly coordinated — Kremlin

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said earlier that the US will soon prepare sanctions against NIS and that he plans to send a request for a conversation with the Russian president for January 25-27

Syrian development help prevent regional war — Syria’s new leader

Ahmed аl-Sharaa expressed hope for building strategic relations with Lebanon

Russia designs Titan rifle for commandos

The rifle is reliable with precise and dense fire

Germany’s Scholz dismisses plans to meet with Putin as untrue

Scholz said he would hold another phone conversation with Putin only when he has confidence that 'it will make any use'

Kremlin points to a wide range of countries to host negotiations on Ukrainian conflict

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Moscow respects the peacekeeping efforts of various countries

Russian forces liberate village of Dachenskoye in DPR

The ministry specified that the adversary has lost up to 535 troops

Yemeni Houthis claim strike at US aircraft carrier in Red Sea

According to the movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saree, during the Houthi strike, the US aircraft carrier group was preparing to attack the Houthi-controlled Yemeni territory

Russia’ special operation has every chance to reach Transnistria — French expert

Regis Chamagne added that Ukrainian men were now being chased on the streets and sent to fight 'as cannon fodder'

Kiev’s attack on Kursk Region failed to divert Russian forces from Donbass — diplomat

"Kiev didn’t make it a secret that they intended this step to improve their own negotiating positions in the future, which Mikhail Podolyak, an adviser to the chief of staff at Zelensky's office, stated on August 8 without any hesitation," Maria Zakharova stressed

US journalist Tucker’s interview with Lavrov to be published early on Dec. 6 — diplomat

Maria Zakharova earlier said that the interview with Russia’s top diplomat turned out to be "very interesting" and it included questions regarding the present-day relations with the United States, Ukraine as well as other issues

Russia intends to lift restrictions on oil product exports in the future — Deputy PM

Alexander Novak noted that gasoline production in Russia exceeds the level of demand in the country by approximately 10%, so some of it needs to be exported

FIB hopes new IOC president will help Russian teams return to international tournaments

The IOC’s tenth president will be elected at an upcoming session scheduled to be held in Greece in March 2025

Decision to allow use of long-range weapons against Russia is ‘insane’ — Maduro

"The American imperialism has entered a phase of madness and revenge," the Venezuelan president noted

US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that the US-NATO construction project, ongoing for nearly a decade with complete disregard to Russian security concerns, has consistently been a focus of Russia's attention

Ukrainian losses in Kursk area amount up to 485 troops in 24 hours

Ukrainian attempt to break through in Kursk area thwarted

Former Armenian defense minister detained in Moscow

Arshak Karapetyan has been put on the international wanted list under a number of articles of the Criminal Code, law enforcement bodies told TASS

No answer from JD Vance if Trump plans to have phone call with Putin

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Police computer systems at German airports suffer outages — Bild

According to the WDR broadcaster, passengers at Dusseldorf Airport have been forced to wait for about two hours, while entry from countries outside the Schengen area is not currently possible amid the outages

Over 15,000 Ukrainian troops engaged in Kurakhovo, says Russian top brass

Control over Kurakhovo hinders supplies to Ukrainian troops

Russia manages situation in Ukraine, while West in big trouble — US political scientist

According to John Mearsheimer, Russia has become much stronger over the past two to three years because it has managed to become "a truly sovereign country"

Mi-28NM helicopter thwarts rotation of Ukrainian troops in Kursk border area

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Russian air force takes down Ukrainian MiG-29 — top brass

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Russian Armed Forces destroy over 8,000 Ukrainian soldiers over week in LPR

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No current plans for Putin’s meeting with Scholz, Trump — Kremlin

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has refuted the claims of German Bundestag Roderich Kiesewetter

Putin and Trump could meet in Bratislava in August — Slovakia's foreign minister

Slovakia's Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak said that both leaders were invited to take part in the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising in Bratislava in August

Kiev ready to conflict settlement talks in late January

Secondly - Europe, then the talk with Russians can take place, Vladimir Zelensky said

Slovakia sees Russia’s readiness for peace, ready to host talks — Fico’s party

On December 26, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, is not against Slovakia becoming a platform for talks on Ukraine

Ukrainian forces partially pushed back from Kurakhovo power plant in DPR

Combat for the plant’s administrative building is underway.

Pope Francis condemns Ukraine’s attack on Donetsk market — Union of Old Believers chief

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Russian diplomat summoned to Moldovan Foreign Ministry after statement on energy crisis

According to the spokeswoman, such statements negatively affect the relations between Chisinau and Moscow

Russian Tsar’s daughter might have escaped 1918 execution

Leading Russian historian says there is evidence that Grad Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna might have escaped execution in 1918, lived up to 83 years and died in the US under the surname of Manahan