Olympic cauldron burning bright after Opening Ceremony in PyeongChang

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — The Olympic cauldron has been lit in PyeongChang as athletes from around the world gathered for the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Games Friday.

The ceremony began with a light show of white, red and blue -- the colors of the South Korean flag -- and moved into a tightly choreographed performance, according to NBC News.

Watch the Opening Ceremony TONIGHT at 8 p.m. on Channel 11.

When Team USA walked into the Olympic Stadium, a little piece of western Pennsylvania was with the athletes.

Butler Technologies Inc. designed and manufactured flexible printed heaters that are built into the American flag inside the coats worn by Team USA’s athletes. The heaters have three settings and can help keep the athletes warm for 11 hours.

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Among the thousands of spectators at the Opening Ceremony were at least two people from Pittsburgh.

Roderica Harishaw and her roommate traveled to South Korea. Harishaw, who studies Asian languages and cultures, said she loves the history of Korea and its K-pop music scene.

“I mostly wanted to come and see Korea because it's such an old country with such a rich history that I just wanted to come and see it for myself,” Harishaw said.

The Winter Olympics seemed like an opportune time to experience South Korea.

Follow Channel 11’s Gordon Loesch on Facebook and Twitter and photographer Tony Ruffolo for updates from South Korea during the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Cox Media Group