Winter Olympics to begin in PyeongChang tonight

51 Australians will compete at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics which officially gets underway with the Opening Ceremony this evening.

Chief Executive Officer of the NSW Institute of Sport, Kevin Thompson, is excited that the Games have finally arrived.

“Australia is sending a more experienced team than that which competed in Sochi so it will be fascinating to watch our athletes on the world stage” said Thompson.

The NSW Institute of Sport Winter Sports program, delivered in partnership with the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) and Ski and Snowboard Australia, is the training ground for more than half of Australia’s 51-strong PyeongChang 2018 team.

“In my short time at NSWIS it is already abundantly clear to me that the Winter Sports program is world class” said Thompson.

“Thanks to the fantastic structures in place and dedicated support from program partners, winter sports in this country continues to go from strength to strength.

“The depth in sports such as Ski Moguls and Snowboard Cross means Australia is in a great position to remain competitive for many years to come”.

In amongst the experience of the Australian Olympic Team there are a few debutants, and this hasn’t gone unnoticed by Thompson.

“I’m particularly excited to see figure-skating duo Katia Alexandrovskaya and Harley Windsor, the first Indigenous athlete to compete for Australia at a Winter Olympics.

“From everyone at the NSW Institute of Sport I wish all the athletes competing the best of luck. It’s always an honour to represent your country but to do so as an Olympian is something that you will never forget.”