Pyeongchang bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics

Bids for the
2018 (2018) Winter Olympics and Paralympics
Overview
XXIII Olympic Winter Games
XII Paralympic Winter Games
Pyeongchang
Munich · Annecy
Details
City Pyeongchang, South Korea
NOC Korean Olympic Committee
Previous Games hosted
None
Decision
Result 63 votes (Winner)

Pyeongchang 2018 was the successful bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics, held in Pyeongchang.

Overview

After losing the bids for the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, Gangwon Province Gov. Jin-sun Kim announced in September 2007 that Pyeongchang would bid a third time. He cited increased knowledge of the bidding process and the enthusiasm of residents as reasons to keep trying.[1][2] According to a survey by The Chosun Ilbo on December 23, 2009, 91.4% of Koreans, 93.4% of Pyeongchang and Jeongseon residents, and 93% of Gangwon residents supported the 2018 Winter Olympics bid.[3] South Korea's figure skating superstar and 2010 Olympic champion Kim Yuna and IOC member and Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-hee promoted the bid.[4][5] The Samsung Chairman and principal owner Lee Kun-hee, given a 3-year suspended sentence for tax evasion and illegal bond dealing, was reportedly pardoned by the South Korean president Lee Myung-bak with the hope that his connections and financial support would boost the chances of Pyeongchang.[6]

On February 16, 2011, the IOC Evaluation Commission arrived in Korea for inspection of Pyeongchang’s bid. "We have seen great progress in the bid from the two previous bids," commission chairwoman Gunilla Lindberg said. "We have also seen progress in Korean winter sports during the last four years." Speaking at the IOC news conference following the inspection of Pyeongchang and venues in Gangwon Province, Lindberg said "I must also mention the passionate support of Gangwon residents. During our site visits it has been wonderful to see so many people to show their support to bring the Olympic Movement to Korea."[7]


Seven venues had been built since the previous bids, including ski jumping slopes, and biathlon and cross country skiing courses.[8][9] Pyeongchang would be a compact Olympic Games,[10] with travel times of less than 30 minutes between the main accommodation in Alpensia resort and the venues and 10 minutes between venues.[11] A new 250 km per hour KTX line will be built between Seoul and Wonju via Pyeongchang putting Pyeongchang within 50 minutes of Seoul.[12]

German reporter Dietmar Gessner from Sport Bild said that "in Asia including Korea you can create more customers. You can make lots of money for winter sports.."[13]

Pyeongchang’s slogan is “New Horizons.” The bid's logo suggests the winter scenery of Pyeongchang with snow on the mountains. The curve implies a will to win and symbolizes a snowboard and slope of winter sports.[14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Pyeongchang Will Bid Again for the 2018 Olympic Games". Gamesbids.com. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  2. ↑ Pyeongchang Could Be Third Time Lucky GamesBids
  3. ↑ (강원) 국민 91% "동계오륜 평창 유치 찬성" (in Korean). The Chosun Ilbo. December 23, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Yu-na Backs Pyeongchang's Bid for Winter Olympics". Koreatimes.co.kr. April 13, 2009. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  5. ↑ "IOC inspects Pyeongchang venues". Koreatimes.co.kr. February 17, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  6. ↑ Government pardons former Samsung chairman. Joongangdaily.joins.com (December 29, 2009). Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  7. ↑ On the Scene: Citizen Passion Praised by IOC Commission. Aroundtherings.com (February 19, 2011). Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  8. ↑ "IOC assures upgraded Pyeongchang". Koreatimes.co.kr. February 20, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  9. ↑ "IOC 실사단 "진전된 평창을 봤다" – 1등 인터넷뉴스 조선닷컴". News.chosun.com. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  10. ↑ "'S-N tensions won't affect Pyeongchang's bid'". Koreatimes.co.kr. February 18, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Pyeongchang to submit bid file to IOC". Koreatimes.co.kr. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  12. ↑ "PyeongChang2018 Candidate File – Volum 3: 15 Transport" (PDF). PyeongChang 2018 Bid Committee. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Pyeongchang: 'great potential in sports market growth'". Koreatimes.co.kr. February 18, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Bid Logo Unveiled". Gamesbids.com. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
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