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184286
Wed, 05/25/2011 - 11:27
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https://oananews.org//node/184286
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PyeongChang not a front-runner in Winter Games bid: official
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, May 25 (Yonhap) -- PyeongChang, a South Korean candidate for the 2018 Winter Olympics, is not a front-runner in the bidding race but is making efforts to finish first, a senior South Korean sports official said Wednesday.
At a press conference, Park Sun-kyoo, vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, said PyeongChang "is definitely not in first place" in the race.
"I must confess that we're not in the lead as many people have said," Park said. "I ask you to consider that a fact."
PyeongChang, about 180 kilometers east of Seoul, is competing against Munich, Germany, and Annecy, France. The host will be determined at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) General Assembly in Durban, South Africa, on July 6.
PyeongChang came up short in two previous bids, narrowly losing to Vancouver, Canada, and then to Sochi, Russia.
Park noted that South Korean and foreign press have dubbed PyeongChang a front-runner in the race, but said, "Munich is still strong and Annecy is also making its utmost effort in the bidding."
Munich, led by current IOC vice president Thomas Bach, boasts a wealth of experience in hosting international winter sports competitions. Annecy was once seen as lagging behind the two rivals with an abrupt change in the leadership of its bidding committee in January, but the French town has made major strides, Park said.
"We're trying to identify our shortcomings from the two failed bids and to learn from them," the official said. "We're making every effort to ensure PyeongChang's victory in Durban on July 6."
The three candidates made their case to IOC members last week in Lausanne, Switzerland. PyeongChang has built its bid on a concept titled "New Horizons," as it tries to bring the Winter Games to South Korea for the first time and to Asia for only the third time. Only Japan has hosted Winter Olympics in the continent, in Sapporo in 1972 and Nagano in 1998.
PyeongChang has also tried to highlight a compact, athlete-friendly Games plan, with all venues to be placed within 30 minutes of each other.
Park said South Korea is a country that owes its development to the Olympic spirit, having used the 1988 Seoul Olympics as a launching pad toward international recognition. He added if PyeongChang won the right to the 2018 Winter Games, the South Koreans would once again come together and it would help the country grow even further.
"We're a nation that owes to the Olympic spirit and we want to pay it back," Park said. "(The Winter Games) would be an opportunity for us to revitalize ourselves and become a major player in the world."
Park stressed that because PyeongChang is desperate to win, it calls for a more cautious approach.
"We can't underestimate the potential of Munich, given its natural surroundings, experience in hosting events and its manpower," Park said. "We can't help but be deliberate when you take these into account."
jeeho@yna.co.kr
SEOUL, May 25 (Yonhap) -- PyeongChang, a South Korean candidate for the 2018 Winter Olympics, is not a front-runner in the bidding race but is making efforts to finish first, a senior South Korean sports official said Wednesday.
At a press conference, Park Sun-kyoo, vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, said PyeongChang "is definitely not in first place" in the race.
"I must confess that we're not in the lead as many people have said," Park said. "I ask you to consider that a fact."
PyeongChang, about 180 kilometers east of Seoul, is competing against Munich, Germany, and Annecy, France. The host will be determined at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) General Assembly in Durban, South Africa, on July 6.
PyeongChang came up short in two previous bids, narrowly losing to Vancouver, Canada, and then to Sochi, Russia.
Park noted that South Korean and foreign press have dubbed PyeongChang a front-runner in the race, but said, "Munich is still strong and Annecy is also making its utmost effort in the bidding."
Munich, led by current IOC vice president Thomas Bach, boasts a wealth of experience in hosting international winter sports competitions. Annecy was once seen as lagging behind the two rivals with an abrupt change in the leadership of its bidding committee in January, but the French town has made major strides, Park said.
"We're trying to identify our shortcomings from the two failed bids and to learn from them," the official said. "We're making every effort to ensure PyeongChang's victory in Durban on July 6."
The three candidates made their case to IOC members last week in Lausanne, Switzerland. PyeongChang has built its bid on a concept titled "New Horizons," as it tries to bring the Winter Games to South Korea for the first time and to Asia for only the third time. Only Japan has hosted Winter Olympics in the continent, in Sapporo in 1972 and Nagano in 1998.
PyeongChang has also tried to highlight a compact, athlete-friendly Games plan, with all venues to be placed within 30 minutes of each other.
Park said South Korea is a country that owes its development to the Olympic spirit, having used the 1988 Seoul Olympics as a launching pad toward international recognition. He added if PyeongChang won the right to the 2018 Winter Games, the South Koreans would once again come together and it would help the country grow even further.
"We're a nation that owes to the Olympic spirit and we want to pay it back," Park said. "(The Winter Games) would be an opportunity for us to revitalize ourselves and become a major player in the world."
Park stressed that because PyeongChang is desperate to win, it calls for a more cautious approach.
"We can't underestimate the potential of Munich, given its natural surroundings, experience in hosting events and its manpower," Park said. "We can't help but be deliberate when you take these into account."
jeeho@yna.co.kr
