about the games

When: The first events are Thursday. The final day is Feb. 25.

Where: Pyeongchang, South Korea. These will be South Korea's second Olympic Games and its first Winter Games; Seoul hosted the Summer Games in 1988. After two straight balmy Winter Olympics, the cold is back.

Time difference: South Korea is 15 hours ahead of the Twin Cities.

Competitions: A record 102 medals will be awarded in 15 disciplines.

TV: Spread across NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, USA Network and the Olympic Channel.

The Opening Ceremony: NBC will live-stream the event at 5 a.m. Friday. There will be repeat coverage at 7 p.m. on Ch. 11. The rival Koreas will march together. Mike Tirico and Katie Couric will co-host.

2014 Games: Sochi, Russia, was the sight and the host country was first in medals with 33 and golds with 13 before widespread doping disqualifications. The United States finished second with 28 medals (nine of them gold).

Coming Thursday: The Star Tribune's preview of the Games, including a look at Nordic skier Jessie Diggins of Afton (above) and the rest of the Minnesota delegation.