ID :
186200
Fri, 06/03/2011 - 06:47
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/186200
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PyeongChang to keep at it until vote on Olympic host: official
SEOUL, June 3 (Yonhap) -- With about a month left until the decision on the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympics, PyeongChang, a South Korean candidate, plans to work hard to the very end to win over the hearts of voters, a bidding official here said Friday.
In an interview with Yonhap News Agency, Ha Do-bong, secretary general of PyeongChang's bidding committee, said the South Korean alpine town must stay grounded and not let recent positive reviews get to its collective head.
"I would say we've got a 50-50 chance at winning the bidding race," Ha said, referring to PyeongChang's battle with Munich, Germany, and Annecy, France. The 2018 host will be determined in a vote at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) General Assembly in Durban, South Africa, on July 6.
"We can't afford slips this late in the bidding stage," Ha added. "That means we must bear down and focus on bidding within boundaries set by the IOC. We shouldn't grow too confident over some assessments that we're in the lead."
PyeongChang, located about 180 kilometers east of Seoul, came up short in two previous bids, narrowly losing to Vancouver of Canada and then to Sochi of Russia.
PyeongChang is trying to bring South Korea its first-ever Winter Games, and it has built its case on leaving a new legacy for winter sports in South Korea and in Asia. Only Japan has hosted Winter Olympics in the continent: in Sapporo in 1972 and in Nagano in 1998.
PyeongChang has also pledged an athlete-friendly games with all venues within 30 minutes of each other.
PyeongChang appeared to take a slight lead after candidate cities' technical briefing on IOC members last month in Lausanne, Switzerland. But Ha stressed no winner emerged from the session.
"Personally, I think we acquitted ourselves well in Lausanne," he said. "Some reports have said we did really well, but Jacques Rogge, the IOC president, said all three candidates were impressive."
Ha said the most important presentation will be the one held right before the vote in Durban.
"We're trying to prepare for our best presentation yet in Durban so that we could pick up swing votes," Ha said. "IOC members vote based on personal ideals, philosophies and international relations among other factors, and so it's impossible to read their minds."
PyeongChang's bidding has been boosted by Kim Yu-na, a Vancouver Olympic gold medalist in figure skating and an honorary ambassador for the candidate. She was a presenter in Lausanne, and Ha said Kim will also be on stage to present in Durban.
"She is an Olympic champion in figure skating, a signature Winter Games event, and her presence has added an air of mystique," Ha said. "She is working hard in her role, and she really wants to see the Olympics here. We're counting on her to play a major part."
In an interview with Yonhap News Agency, Ha Do-bong, secretary general of PyeongChang's bidding committee, said the South Korean alpine town must stay grounded and not let recent positive reviews get to its collective head.
"I would say we've got a 50-50 chance at winning the bidding race," Ha said, referring to PyeongChang's battle with Munich, Germany, and Annecy, France. The 2018 host will be determined in a vote at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) General Assembly in Durban, South Africa, on July 6.
"We can't afford slips this late in the bidding stage," Ha added. "That means we must bear down and focus on bidding within boundaries set by the IOC. We shouldn't grow too confident over some assessments that we're in the lead."
PyeongChang, located about 180 kilometers east of Seoul, came up short in two previous bids, narrowly losing to Vancouver of Canada and then to Sochi of Russia.
PyeongChang is trying to bring South Korea its first-ever Winter Games, and it has built its case on leaving a new legacy for winter sports in South Korea and in Asia. Only Japan has hosted Winter Olympics in the continent: in Sapporo in 1972 and in Nagano in 1998.
PyeongChang has also pledged an athlete-friendly games with all venues within 30 minutes of each other.
PyeongChang appeared to take a slight lead after candidate cities' technical briefing on IOC members last month in Lausanne, Switzerland. But Ha stressed no winner emerged from the session.
"Personally, I think we acquitted ourselves well in Lausanne," he said. "Some reports have said we did really well, but Jacques Rogge, the IOC president, said all three candidates were impressive."
Ha said the most important presentation will be the one held right before the vote in Durban.
"We're trying to prepare for our best presentation yet in Durban so that we could pick up swing votes," Ha said. "IOC members vote based on personal ideals, philosophies and international relations among other factors, and so it's impossible to read their minds."
PyeongChang's bidding has been boosted by Kim Yu-na, a Vancouver Olympic gold medalist in figure skating and an honorary ambassador for the candidate. She was a presenter in Lausanne, and Ha said Kim will also be on stage to present in Durban.
"She is an Olympic champion in figure skating, a signature Winter Games event, and her presence has added an air of mystique," Ha said. "She is working hard in her role, and she really wants to see the Olympics here. We're counting on her to play a major part."
