With a population of just over 40,000 people, Pyeongchang has Buddhist temples and a reputation as a rural mountain retreat with a healthful climate. But it wants a reputation as a sports mecca.
The Winter Games' opening ceremony took place Friday, with 20,000 fireworks, the parade of athletes — and an impromptu handshake between South Korea's president and Kim Jong Un's sister.
The U.S. squad, 242 strong, has more women than ever. It also includes 10 African-Americans, 11 Asian-Americans and the first two openly gay athletes to compete for the U.S. at a Winter Olympics.
The Winter Olympics opening ceremony took place Friday evening in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Luger Erin Hamlin was Team USA's flag-bearer at the ceremony.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport affirms that 47 Russian athletes and coaches should not be allowed to participate in Pyeongchang, with hours to go before the opening ceremony.
While powerhouse states like Colorado and California are sending the most Olympians to Pyeongchang, towns and cities around the U.S. have good reason to watch their daughters and sons compete as well.
With days to go until the opening ceremony, the Winter Olympics host quarantined some 1,200 security workers after several dozen of them showed symptoms of infection. Soldiers are taking their place.