Olympic Torch Relay

[Anchor Lead]

The PyeongChang Winter Olympic flame is in Gyeongsangnamdo Province this week with just 87 days left before the winter games begin. The torch was carried on a Navy destroyer, which was a global first, and also welcomed at the Gyeongsangnamdo provincial government headquarters.

[Pkg]

The PyeongChang Winter Olympics flame makes it on board the Munmu the Great destroyer, greeted by a thunderous applause of soldiers. The torch toured the Naval Academy and made its way into downtown Changwon city. Passed from citizen to citizen, the flame grows bigger and blazes more brightly. To this lady from Vietnam, the torch relay is an unforgettable experience.

[Soundbite] Han Na-yeong(Immigrant Spouse from Vietnam) : "I'm from Vietnam. I'm so happy that I can do something for Korea."

Jo Min-gyeong is a wheelchair curling athlete based in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, a region where winter sports are not very much on the scene. She is also one of the torch bearers.

[Soundbite] Jo Min-gyeong(Wheelchair Curling Athlete) : "I play wheelchair curling as a standby athlete for the Paralympics national team. It's an honor to be part of the torch relay."

The Olympic flame arrived in the province on Saturday and passed through unique local landmarks including the Turtle Ship and Geogadaegyo Bridge. After passing through half of Gyeongsangnam-do Province, the flame is lit on the flame holder alongside events wishing for a successful Olympics. Citizens cheer in jubilation.

[Soundbite] Kim Min-ho(Miryang Resident) : "I came with all my family. It's wonderful. My children are learning a lot about the PyeongChang games."

The torch laid at the provincial government building will now head to Miryang, Changnyeong and Jinju before traveling to Jeollanam-do Province this Saturday.