Culture Minister Choi Describes Opening Ceremony as 'Exciting and Proud'

"It was exciting and I felt proud."

Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, shared his impression after attending the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics as the representative of the Korean government. Minister Choi made the remarks on Friday (Korea time) while visiting the Main Press Center (MPC) and International Broadcast Center (IBC) at the Allianz MiCo Convention Center in Milan, Italy, where he checked on operations and met with Korean media correspondents to offer encouragement.

Minister Choi, who arrived in Italy on February 4 as the government representative, attended the opening ceremony held the previous evening local time at the San Siro Olympic Stadium in Milan. South Korea, which sent a delegation of 130 athletes, entered 22nd among 92 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), led by flag bearers Cha Jun-hwan (figure skating) and Park Ji-woo (speed skating).

After watching the ceremony in person, Minister Choi jokingly remarked, "I think we did better," before adding, "Being there in person, you feel things differently. It was truly exciting and I felt proud." He was seen smiling and applauding enthusiastically as the Korean delegation entered. "I was just so happy to see our athletes that I kept clapping, but later I found out I was caught on camera," he said with a laugh. "If I had known, I would have at least held up a Korean flag."

Minister Choi also inspected the athletes' training conditions and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee's on-site meal support center operations. "I tried the boxed meals provided to the athletes at the support center, and they were really delicious," he said. "Some athletes seem to be struggling with the local food, so I'm glad the support is being provided promptly."

Minister Choi is scheduled to watch the figure skating team event competition later that day before departing for Korea on Saturday.