Gov’t to fully support Winter Olympics bid

Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, third from left, speaks as Gangwon Province Governor Lee Gwang-jae, third from right, and others listen during a meeting in Seoul to discuss the government’s support for the PyeogChang 2018 Winter Games. / Courtesy of PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games Bid Committe By Yi Whan-woo The government plans to provide its full support for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games Bid Committee to host the Olympics in the Gangwon Province city. The government plans to send an official letter guaranteeing its support for the event, which is crucial for the submission, to the International Olympic Committee by Jan. 11 next year. “The 2018 Winter Olympics bid is significant for the nation in a way that it can raise the nation’s reputation,” Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik said in a meeting. “I felt how important a sport event can be when I attended the FIFA World Cup bid in December in Zurich, and also realized the competiveness among the bid nations is very fierce,” Kim added. The detailed plans include construction of a railway between Wonju and Gangneung in Gangwon Province near the Winter Games site. The railway is expected to promote PyeongChang to become a hub for winter sports. Officials will also discuss key factors that require governmental support during the IOC inspection slated for next Feb. 14 to 20, including welcoming visiting dignitaries. The group will focus on showing the inspection team how well prepared and advanced PyeongChang is, alongside the nation’s passion for winter sports. “The success in the Vancouver Winter Games this year helped boost the nation as a winter sports powerhouse,” the prime minster said. “All of the ministries should cooperate and provide support for a successful bid and search for a new frontier for winter sports in Asia,” he added. Cho Yang-ho, the chairman of the Bid Committee, said he appreciated the government’s full support. The chairman was quoted as saying “I and the Committee will come up with utmost efforts for good news.” The announcement of the host city will be made next year on July 6 in Durban, South Africa.

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