The flame for the 23rd Winter Olympics will be lit in Pyeongchang in South Korea this morning.
20-year-old snowboarder Seamus O’Connor will carry the Irish flag at the opening ceremony, leading a team of five. Joining O’Connor will be downhill skiers, Tess Arbez and Pat McMillan, cross-country skier Thomas Westgard, and half-pipe snowboarder Bubba Newby.
The event is being held against a backdrop of military tensions between the North and the US. The influential sister of Kim Jong-Un is expected to attend the Games in Pyeongchang.
Yesterday, North Korea held a military parade, featuring two inter-ballistic missiles which they claim could reach the US.
The ceremony is due to get underway at 11am, Irish time.
Meanwhile, 47 Russian athletes have had their appeals against being banned for the Winter Olympics rejected.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision has been welcomed by the International Olympic Committee.
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