Winter Fest Olympic Committee announcement

By Staff Sgt. David ChapmanAugust 14, 2017

Winter Fest Olympic Committee announcement
U.S. Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer Scott Blackmun announces plans for a special celebration at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan during a press conference Aug. 1 at the Dragon Hill Lodge. Olympic Winter Fest will invite U.S. service members and ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SEOUL--Special guests and media from across the Korean peninsula gathered Aug. 1 at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan, Dragon Hill Lodge, for a special press conference by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

With winter months away, and not a flake of snow in the forecast, the press conference was held to announce what festivities will come to the community to heighten excitement for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

"We're proud to announce that Winterfest, presented by Hersheys, will come to Yongsan Garrison," said Lisa Baird, chief marketing officer for the U.S. Olympic Committee. "We want to bring the passion of sports and the Olympic spirit and share that with you and your families. We want to bring the excitement of Pyeongchang 2018 and the pride of Team USA here to Yongsan."

Winter Fest will take place Feb. 19, 2018, and will offer opportunities for the Yongsan community to meet athletes and enjoy a concert by performer Rachel Platten, famous for her hit, "Fight Song."

"We will have special festivities, winter sports activities," said Baird. "Of course it wouldn't be an Olympic event without some of our Team USA athletes, both from the current games and our legends, here signing autographs."

During the press conference, USOC Chief Executive Officer Scott Blackmun explained why it was so important to the athletes and Soldiers to enjoy this special event.

"For us, it is an incredible opportunity to marry what is a strong interest in our country that is held both by our athletes and our troops," said Blackmun. "I know our athletes really admire our troops, and our troops truly admire our athletes ... So the opportunity to put these two groups of people together, both which believe fully in America, is important for us."

Col. Scott Peterson, commander, USAG Yongsan, was proud to represent the garrison at the press conference and is looking forward to Yongsan having this very exciting opportunity.

"We are honored U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan was chosen as the site for Team USA Winter Fest hosted by the U.S. Olympic Committee and Directorate of Family Morale Welfare and Recreation," said Garrison Commander, Col. Scott J. Peterson. We have a long-standing friendship with the Korean people and are honored to host an event that will showcase Korean culture and Pyeongchang as the venue for next year's Winter Olympics."

Photo: 170801-A-SP997-0229

Credit: Pvt. Sydney Perry, USAG Yongsan Visual Information Support Center

Caption: U.S. Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer Scott Blackmun announces plans for a special celebration at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan during a press conference Aug. 1 at the Dragon Hill Lodge.

Olympic Winter Fest will invite U.S. service members and their families throughout Korea installations to USAG Yongsan for a concert, winter Olympic activities and the opportunity to meet Olympic athletes, in celebration of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

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