The first events of the 2018 Winter Olympics began on Thursday in Pyeongchang, South Korea, but the Games officially kick off with the opening ceremony at Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium at 8 p.m. on Friday in South Korea, 6 a.m. on the U.S. East Coast. Americans can watch them live on NBC or NBCOlympics.com.
It is below freezing in Pyeongchang, but Team USA, wearing outfits designed by Ralph Loren, "will remain warm thanks to innovative heat technology incorporated into the design of their parkas and bomber jackets, CNN reports. "The jackets went through rigorous testing to make sure they were safe before being worn by Olympians." The U.S. flag will be carried by Erin Hamlin, a bronze medalist in luge, while North and South Korean athletes will march in together under one flag, led by South Korean bobsledder Won Yun-jong. Ninety-one countries will be participating in the Pyeongchang Olympics, but Russian athletes will have to compete as Olympic Athletes from Russia, under the International Olympic Committee flag, after Russia was banned for violating anti-doping laws. The 2018 Games end with a closing ceremony on Feb. 25.
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