POSTED: Tuesday May 10th 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PyeongChang 2018 "absolutely delighted" with IOC Evaluation Commission report

PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH KOREA, 10 MAY 2011: The PyeongChang 2018 Bid Committee today warmly welcomed the publication of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) positive Evaluation Commission report following their visit to PyeongChang in February 2011. The report described PyeongChang 2018’s plan as ‘a very compact concept’ and ‘the Commission believes the legacy from a 2018 PyeongChang games, building on existing legacies from previous Olympic Winter Games bids, would be significant to further develop inter sport in Asia’.

The report, a technical analysis on the 17 themes detailed in each city’s Candidate File, confirms that PyeongChang’s New Horizons vision for the 2018 Winter Games sets out a clear framework to help the Olympic Movement and winter sports expand to new markets and help establish a modern winter sports hub in Asia.

Yang Ho Cho, Chairman and CEO of PyeongChang 2018 said: “I am absolutely delighted that the IOC’s report confirms that PyeongChang is considered ready to welcome the Olympic and Paralympic Games to South Korea for the first time. The Evaluation Commission’s visit to PyeongChang was a great success and this has been highlighted in their recognition of our bid as ‘a national priority’ and that ‘all land required for the construction and operation of the competition venues has been secured’.

“We are particularly delighted that the report praises PyeongChang’s efficient and compact Games Plan, and that the IOC has acknowledged that we have kept our promises and developed a sports resort tailor-made for the Winter Games, ensuring athletes, the Olympic Family and winter sports fans will have a convenient, safe and fun Winter Games experience.

“We are also proud that the IOC report recognizes the amazing level of public support that our bid has across Korea, as shown by the IOC’s poll of 92% in PyeongChang, 87% in Gangwon Province and 87% nationally in favour of us hosting the 2018 Winter Games.

“It was fantastic to see so many Koreans line the streets of PyeongChang during the IOC Evaluation Commission’s visit, and we appreciate the IOC’s comment that ‘national, regional and local support for 2018 Games is high and there is no apparent opposition to the Games’.

“The report is also a valuable source of information to ensure delivery of all aspects of our Winter Games plan. We will reflect that thinking when we present to the IOC Members in Lausanne on 18 May.

“With less than two months to go until the vote in Durban, we are confident that PyeongChang would deliver an unforgettable Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games that have the power to inspire a new generation of winter sports athletes and provide a platform for winter sports to grow and thrive in new areas of the world. We are looking forward to the final presentation and bringing our New Horizons story and our compelling proposal to life ahead of the vote.”

-ENDS-

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The city of PyeongChang in Gangwon Province, South Korea is bidding to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2018. The election of the Host City of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games will take place during the 123rd International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Durban, South Africa on 6 July 2011.

For further information about the PyeongChang bid to host the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, please visit http://www.pyeongchang2018.org

For further information:

Muchol Shin

PyeongChang 2018

mucholshin@koreanair.com

Jihye Lee

PyeongChang 2018

leejh@koreanair.com

M: +82.10.5294.0312        

Mike Lee

VERO Communications

mlee@verocom.co.uk

T: +44.20.7379.4000

M: +44.777.567.7408

Sujit Jasani

VERO Communications

sjasani@verocom.co.uk

T: +44.20.7379.4000

M: +44.794.037.5282

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Keywords · PyeongChang · IOC · Gunilla Lindberg · Yang Ho Cho

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Name: Sujit Jasani
Organization: PyeongChang 2018 Bid Committee
Email:
Phone: 447940375282
URL: http://www.pyeongchang2018.org

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