Sammy Lee, an American diver who won gold medals in the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Games, has returned to Korea, the birthplace of his parents, to promote PyeongChang’s bid for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
The Korea Times reports that Lee said Tuesday, “the IOC (International Olympic Committee) doesn’t associate Winter Olympics with Asia. Somehow we have to get to the IOC members of all colours and all nationalities and say that here we have a chance to enhance the image of the Winter Olympics by giving Asia the chance to host the game”.
Lee said when he goes back to his home in New York City he will call IOC U.S. members telling them that “I have been to PyeongChang and that I feel that Korea should have it”.
Lee was in Korea in 2003 when PyeongChang was bidding for the 2010 Winter Games, loosing the bid to Vancouver by just three votes in the second round.
He said, “first I was very sad that we lost the bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics. But it’s amazing we were only off by three votes”.
Lee said he was impressed at PyeongChang’s second effort and believes the city has a better chance this time, reports the newspaper.
“Yeah, I am very impressed at preparation efforts PyeongChang is making. I was also impressed that they still kept the Olympic Spirit making improving.
“They didn’t break down because they didn’t get the bid in 2003 and they’ve got together again to win the 2014 Games. When you get defeated once, you get back up and show they didn’t knock you out. Their spirit is strong and the ‘Korean spirit’ can surely enable PyeongChang to make it”.
