BTS' Jin on being a torchbearer at 2024 Paris Olympics: 'It is an honor'
BTS' Jin has fulfilled his role as a torchbearer in the 2024 Paris Olympics Games.
As a torchbearer, Jin linked Place Carrousel and Avenue Rivoli in Paris, creating significant torch relay routes that lasted about 10 minutes. He then passed the torch to former French national freestyle skiing athlete Sandra Laoura in front of the Pyramid of the Louvre.
11 days to go until #Paris2024! 🇫🇷
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 14, 2024
👀 Watch the Torch get closer and closer with @bts_bighit Jin 🔥@Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/zZ2rHiTTRX
In a report by Soompi, the eldest member of the K-pop powerhouse shared messages through his agency, BIGHIT MUSIC, saying that he was honored to be able to participate in such a meaningful moment.
"It is an honor to be able to participate in such a meaningful moment. Thanks to ARMY, I was able to fulfill the wonderful role of torchbearer. Thank you so much," he said.
"I was so nervous that I didn't know how time had passed, but I was able to finish it to the best of my ability thanks to the great support from many people on site," he added.
Likewise, the 31-year-old K-pop star also shared his hopes for Korean national team athletes.
"I hope that all the Korean national team athletes who participate in the Olympics will achieve great results in exchange for their efforts, and I will support them with all my heart."
He continued, "I also hope that much interest will be given until the 17th Paris Paralympic Games, which will be held this August. I will also put in more effort and work to impress in the future."
Earlier in July, reports said that Jin was set to take part in the torch relay.
As per Yonhap News Agency, the cause of Jin's involvement in the sports event has not yet been revealed. However, it "likely stems from BTS' global popularity and the group's decadelong message of love yourself."
Jin was discharged from his South Korean military service on Wednesday, Jun. 12.
He is the first member of the band to complete the mandatory duty, which allows him to resume musical activities fully.
Meanwhile, the 2024 Paris Olympics, which is set from July 26 to Aug. 11 in France, will be composed of 32 sports, with around 10,500 athletes from all over the world competing. Of the events, 28 are returning, while four are new, namely, sport climbing, skateboarding, surfing, and breaking.
Here's what to expect from the 2024 Paris Olympics and where you can watch it.