Calling all winter sports fans! The Winter Olympics begin on February 9 in Pyeongchang, South Korea. It’s the first time the country has hosted the Winter Olympics. But before the athletes hit the slopes and ice, they will participate in the opening ceremonies. The event’s theme is peace, but the rest of the details are top secret. Up to 35,000 spectators will brave frigid conditions in the open-air stadium for the two-hour event. Learn more about weather in Pyeongchang in this article from SuperScience.
The Parade of Nations is also part of the opening ceremonies. Athletes from 94 countries will walk through the stadium under their country’s flag. This includes Afghanistan, which is making its Winter Olympic debut with skiers Sayed Alishah Farhang and Sajjad Husaini. Team USA is sending 244 athletes to compete—the largest delegation in Winter Olympics history. And in another nod toward peace, North and South Korea will march under the same flag. Separate since 1948, the neighboring countries have a history of hostility. Some say this is the most cooperative action taken by North and South Korea in years.