North and South Korean heads of state shake hands

Nearly 3,000 athletes from 92 nations, more than 100 gold medals up for grabs and the prospect of a unified Korean ice hockey team.

The eyes of the world will be on Pyeongchang on Friday as South Korea’s Winter Olympics finally gets underway.

Here are some of the key events and when to tune in and watch them (times in GMT):

Preliminary rounds: February 8, from 2am

While the Games officially kicks off on Friday, the sporting action actually starts a day before, with mixed curling and the qualification round for the men’s individual normal hill ski jumping. 

Opening Ceremony: February 9, from 10.30am

The two-hour showpiece is expected to kick start the coldest Games since Lillehammer in 1994 with temperatures dropping to -10C with wind chill.

Spectators will be handed warm clothing while Pyeongchang’s $78million roofless stadium – temporarily built for the opening and closing ceremonies –  has been fitted with 40 huge heaters as well as wind shields amid growing concerns over the health of the 35,000 fans and athletes attending.

The two-hour showpiece is expected to kick start the coldest Games since Lillehammer in 1994 with temperatures dropping to -10C with wind chill

Television viewers may catch site of this group of North Korean cheerleaders, sent to the South by Kim Jong-un to support North Korea's small selection of competitors

Television viewers may catch site of this group of North Korean cheerleaders, sent to the South by Kim Jong-un to support North Korea’s small selection of competitors

Some 35,000 will watch on as athletes competing at the games march into the ‘Parade of Nations’.

The extravaganza will then celebrate Korean culture, pop music, and history while enemies North and South Korea will parade under one flag to signify the theme of the Games – peace. 

Men’s downhill: February 11, from 2am

One of the showpiece events of the Games, with favourites including Beat Feuz of Switzerland, Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway and Max Franz of Austria. 

North and South unify for ‘Korea’ ice hockey team: February 12, 12.10pm

Female hockey players from both North Korea and South Korea make history by joining forces. At 9.10pm local time they will take on Sweden in their opening fixture. 

Female hockey players from both North Korea and South Korea make history by joining forces. At 9.10pm local time they will take on Sweden in their opening fixture.

Female hockey players from both North Korea and South Korea make history by joining forces. At 9.10pm local time they will take on Sweden in their opening fixture.

One of the Games' biggest stars, legendary US snowboarder Shaun White (pictured) - dubbed the Flying Tomato - expected to compete in the men's halfpipe finals

One of the Games’ biggest stars, legendary US snowboarder Shaun White (pictured) – dubbed the Flying Tomato – expected to compete in the men’s halfpipe finals

Halfpipe final: February 14, from 1.30am

One of the Games’ biggest stars, legendary US snowboarder Shaun White – dubbed the Flying Tomato –  expected to compete in the men’s halfpipe finals.

Women’s curling: From February 14, coverage starting at 5am

Britain led by Eve Muirhead has strong medal hopes in curling with the competition running throughout the Games 

Ice dancing: February 19, from 3.30am

Always a popular event at the Winter Olympics, the ice dancing will take place at Gangneung Ice Arena. British medal hopes rest on Penny Coomes and Nick Buckland who have been helped by Olympic legends Torvill and Dean.

Always a popular event at the Winter Olympics, the ice dancing will take place at Gangneung Ice Arena. British medal hopes rest on Penny Coomes and Nick Buckland (pictured) who have been helped by Olympic legends Torvill and Dean

Always a popular event at the Winter Olympics, the ice dancing will take place at Gangneung Ice Arena. British medal hopes rest on Penny Coomes and Nick Buckland (pictured) who have been helped by Olympic legends Torvill and Dean

Women’s Skeleton final: February 17, from 11am

Britain’s Lizzy Yarnold is back to defend her gold medal from Sochi 2014.

Big Air snowboarding: February 19 

Katie Ormerod, 20, leads British hopes in the spectacular Big Air contest, new to the Olympics, as well as slopestyle which takes place on February 11 at 4.30am. can follow in her tracks. 

Katie Ormerod (pictured), 20, leads British hopes in the spectacular Big Air contest, new to the Olympics, as well as slopestyle which takes place on February 11 at 4.30am. can follow in her tracks

Katie Ormerod (pictured), 20, leads British hopes in the spectacular Big Air contest, new to the Olympics, as well as slopestyle which takes place on February 11 at 4.30am. can follow in her tracks

Closing Ceremony: February 25, from 11am to 1pm

Ivanka Trump is reportedly set to be among the spectators as the games comes to an end. The party is expected to be another tribute to South Korean culture. The Olympic torch will be handed over to the 2020 Summer Olympics host Tokyo.



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