PyeongChang Volunteers

[Anchor Lead]

Some 30 volunteers with disabilities from Korea and abroad are helping to host the PyeongChang Winter Paralympics. Despite their challenges, the volunteers take pride in what they do.

[Pkg]

Ha Tae-kyu, who has a third-degree disability, won prizes in the 100-meter and 200-meter events at last year's national sports festival. But he is here in PyeongChang as a volunteer, not an athlete. He helps regulate traffic around the ice rink where curling events are taking place while also dreaming of becoming a national athlete one day.

[Soundbite] Ha Tae-kyu(PyeongChang Paralympics Volunteer (3rd-degree Disability)) : "Watching the athletes train is of big help to me. It motivates me as an athlete."

And this enthusiastic volunteer in a wheelchair named Kay is from Germany. It's the third international sports event where he has volunteered so far.

[Soundbite] Kay Lieker(PyongChang Paralympics Volunteer)

Twenty-four-year old Kwon Hyun-woo in a motorized wheelchair decided to volunteer at the PyeongChang Paralympics because he wanted to be part of the Games.

[Soundbite] Kwon Hyun-woo(PyongChang Paralympics Volunteer (1st-degree Brain Lesion)) : "It's very rewarding to hear the athletes and spectators thank me for my help."

The passion of the 34 volunteers with disabilities makes the PyeongChang Paralympics all the more special.