20 March 2025 – Just over a year after the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024 drew to a close, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission delivered its final report to the 144th IOC Session, underscoring the Games’ resounding success.
As the largest Winter YOG to date, Gangwon 2024 welcomed 1,802 young athletes from 78 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), providing an exceptional platform for competition and athletes’ development while reinforcing the legacy of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.
The report highlighted several key success factors, including the strong balance between elite competition and athlete education, seamless operational delivery and extensive local youth engagement. Gangwon 2024 built on the foundations of PyeongChang 2018 by reusing seven of the nine competition venues, ensuring efficiency and sustainability as recommended by Olympic Agenda 2020. The event also fostered significant community impact, with long-term legacy programmes such as the Dream Programme and New Horizons Academy continuing to provide opportunities for young athletes worldwide. Additionally, the Games’ integration of cultural elements, including K-pop performances, helped attract new audiences and enhance the spectator experience.
Reflecting on the achievements of Gangwon 2024, Coordination Commission Chair Hong Zhang said: “Gangwon 2024 showcased the incredible talent and determination of young athletes from around the world while reinforcing the power of sport to unite and inspire. The success of these Games is a testament to the passion and dedication of the organisers, the local community and everyone involved in delivering an unforgettable event.”
Beyond these achievements, Gangwon 2024 set new benchmarks in fan engagement and digital reach. More than 270,000 spectators attended events across the competition venues, while festival sites welcomed approximately 110,000 visitors for interactive sports and cultural activities. The YOG also generated 313 million engagements across Olympic social media channels, surpassing all previous YOG records, and were broadcast in 199 territories, reaching an estimated 137 million viewers globally. A post-Games survey revealed that 86 per cent of spectators rated their experience as 8 or higher out of 10, demonstrating the widespread enthusiasm for the YOG.
