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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The teenage 'maths prodigy' who turned out to be a cheatUnder The Radar Jiang Ping defied expectations in a global competition but something wasn't right
-
Puppet shows, pagodas and pho: a guide to HanoiThe Week Recommends Vietnam's capital city blends the ancient with the new
-
'There are benefits, but not acknowledging them would tell only half of the story'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproarSpeed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain PrizeSpeed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 winsspeed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughterspeed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopicsSpeed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
