On February 19, in the town of Yongpyong, Gangwon province, with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Korea, a festive reception was held for a team of Ukrainian athletes at the XXIII Olympic Winter Games. The event also became a great opportunity to congratulate the Olympic champion Oleksandr Abramenko on his victory in freestyle skiing.

The event was attended by the Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Igor Zhdanov, the president of the NOC of Ukraine Serhiy Bubka, Vice-president of NOC Valeriy Borzov, Chairman of the Ukraine-Korea Friendship Association Mr. Cho Jeong Sik, distinguished representatives of the Korean side.

In his speech to the audience, the Ambassador of Ukraine Alexander Horin expressed his gratitude to Ukrainian athletes for taking the high mission to represent Ukraine at a global significance sporting event. He also thanked the Korean side for the support of Ukrainian sports and the development of bilateral relations and the Olympic champion for the gold and the joyous feeling of victory, which is shared by millions of Ukrainians.

The musical part of the event was the performance of "Two violins band". The variations that combined the Korean folk song "Arirang" and "Ode to joy" by Beethoven were played by talented Ukrainian violinist Illya Bondarenko.