The organizers asked gold medalist Kim Yuna to participate in the event. The 26-year-old South Korean is one of the most respected athletes in the country, thanks in particular to two Olympic medals.
The ceremony reflected South Korean culture, including a concert by K-pop stars and the 2018 Choir.
Nearly 3,000 athletes from a hundred countries are expected at the first South Korean Winter Games, 30 years after the Seoul Summer Games.
The IOC was represented at the ceremony by the chair of the coordinating committee, Gunilla Lindberg. She was accompanied by representatives of the Government of the Republic of Korea.
"In a year now, the time will come for you to enter history," wrote President Thomas Bach in a message addressed to the organizers.
"Hosting the Olympic Games at home is an exceptional opportunity to write a new chapter in your sports history," he said.
The IOC also officially invited National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and their athletes to take part in the 2018 Games.
The invitations were sent from the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, while the ceremony took place at the Gangneung Hockey Center.
It is in this city that all ice sport competitions must take place during the Games.
Tickets on sale
The ceremony also marked the sale of the tickets.
More than 18,000 requests for tickets were received in two hours, the organizing committee (POCOG) told AFP.
"It's more than we expected," said POCOG spokesperson Sung Baik-you.
A good surprise for the organizers, because if the infrastructure works are largely on time, concerns have arisen as to the interest aroused by the event.
According to a survey released this week, 49% of South Koreans are not interested in the Games. It must be said that the country is shaken by political scandals that plunged it into a social crisis.
The South Koreans, who are expected to make up 70% of the Games, can send their ticket requests until the end of April. A second series of tickets is scheduled for sale in September.
In total, 1.18 million tickets will be offered to spectators.
The Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games will be held from February 9 to 25, 2018.
2018 Winter Olympics - Pyeongchang City 2018 Winter Olympics
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