Winter Olympics Youth Games 2024: Groundbreaking Metaverse Revealed

Human beings are transitioning into a world where physical inabilities wouldn’t pose a problem anymore. The 2024 Winter Youth Olympics are all set to get the ball rolling on January 19, 2024. The week-long event in Gangwon Province, South Korea will draw its curtains on February 1, 2024. Across 7 sports, 15 disciplines in 51 events, the YOG will be one-of-a-kind this time. But there’s a catch.

Since it’s the Winter Olympics, most of the events comprise slopy sports. Starting from alpine skiing to bobsleigh, cross-country skiing to curling, figure-skating to snowboarding and skeleton to speed skating, among others. For athletes between ages 15 to 18, this event is all they look forward to. But a special element in the recent 2024 Winter Youth Olympics has broken all standards. The advent of technology has made living seamless and convenient and in the same vein, a virtual surprise titillates Gangwon fans.

Launch of the first ever Olympics metaverse experience

The official account of The Olympic Games has posted the highly anticipated news in their X handle. The caption reads, “It’s arrived! @Gangwon2024 introduces the first Youth Olympic metaverse, inviting fans to experience the Winter YOG in groundbreaking ways”. Interestingly, the video paired with the caption works as a promo of what the exhilarating experience YOG would offer this time. Teamed up with the Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology (MSIT), the Gangwon 2024 Organising Committee (YOGOC) and the Gangwon-do Province birthed this immersive experience to fruition. Several young fans across the globe wouldn’t be present in person, but the interactive game watching experience through this unique virtual world would be the crux of the biscuit.

In online mini games of ski jumping, curling and bobsleigh, young enthusiasts can engage in online competitions. Moreover, the metaverse would also mean a virtual tour of the venues. Streaming of sporting events can only be accessed by the Republic of Korea residents. Interestingly, the online sessions could unite people with similar winter sport interests. But there’s more to the metaverse realm than meets the eye.

More information on this phenomenal initiative

To notch up the experience, the metaverse has six languages to make it accessible to everybody. Korean, Chinese, Japanese, French, Spanish and English galore to choose from. But for a more riveting experience, there would be custom avatars for the users to explore. There are 30 different characters lined up, who’ll come with customization options like clothing options, hairstyles and body shapes.

Since there are 9 YOG venues, users could explore a smorgasbord of characters by open worlding it around the 3D settings. Visitors will experience virtually with graphic panels, simulators, visors and virtual reality kits at the Gangneung Green City Experience Centre in the “Metaverse Experience.” 1,900 athletes from 81 National Olympic Committees have set their sight to compete at the Winter YOG Gangwon 2024. Tickets are available at tickets.gangwon2024.org.

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