Fireworks erupted over Jeongseon at the start of Day two of the IOC evaluation inspection visit of PyeongChang’s bid for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. The fireworks were used to show the IOC where various features of the proposed downhill ski venue were for the site.
IOC members were pleased with the Jeongseon site but they requested further clarification of transport and media plans for the venue. They also recommended that organizers carefully staff the venue with qualified experts.
Generally, bid committee members are upbeat on the progress of the inspection.
Along the way to and from venues thousands of Gangwon province residents lined the streets waving flags and cheering for the IOC motorcade. PyeongChang 2014 signage dotted the landscape.
Later, the inspection tour went to Bokwang Phoenix Hotel – the proposed venue for freestyle skiing and snowboard and then made a short stop to watch children athletes from around the world put on a ski demonstration as part of PyeongChang’s “Dream Program”.
Finally IOC members visited Alpensia, the Winter sports park currently under construction and home of bobsleigh, luge, ski jumping, the Olympic Stadium and the Athletes’ Village.
Kim Jin-sun, Governor of Gangwon Province, said the site visit was more successful than four years ago. He told reporters following the tour, “some of the delegation members said the on-site inspection today was better organized than the last time when we bid for the 2010 Games”.
He added, “we have tried to improve what the IOC Evaluation Commission pointed out last time. The delegation members asked questions and most of the time they seemed satisfied with our answers”.
Later in the day the IOC team had dinner hosted by Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook in the Greenpia Grand Ballroom of the Yongpyong Resort.
Tomorrow the IOC team will continue to review PyeongChang’s bid book then they will visit more venues including skating, ice hockey and curling.
GamesBids.com continues on-the-scene coverage.
