Olympics Anticipation

[Anchor Lead]

The PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games are just 130 days away. Official stores selling Olympic souvenirs have opened recently in Gangneung, Busan and Seoul. Anticipation is growing ahead of the big event.

[Pkg]

The first official store selling PyeongChang Winter Olympics souvenirs and mascots has opened. It sells a wide range of products featuring the Olympic mascots, Soohorang and Bandabi - from key holders to pajamas. Customers have shown much interest in the souvenirs so far.

[Soundbite] Kim Do-kyung(Store Manager) : "Soohorang and Bandabi dolls that can be hung and carried on bags are the most popular gift items right now."

The store sells more than 50 kinds of licensed products, including the Olympic mascots and Korean traditional items. Official stores have also opened in Busan and Seoul, hoping to raise public interest in the upcoming Winter Olympic Games. The organizing committee of the Games plans to open 30 more official stores nationwide by next month, including Jeju-do Island and Gwangju.

[Soundbite] Kim Ki-hong(PyeongChang Winter Olympics Organizing Committee) : "These licensed products represent the meaning and value of the Olympic Games. They will play the role of mediators between the games and the public."

Some 900 stores selling Olympic souvenirs including online and duty-free shops will have opened by February next year, when the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games begin.