Under the theme of “A Letter From Korea”, Pyeongchang 2010’s 20-minute presentation at the 66th International Sports Association (AIPS) congress was well received and received a loud ovation, reports Korea Times.
One hundred and forty representatives from 148 AIPS member nations attended the congress.
Gong Ro-myung, the chairman of Pyeongchang 2010, said the 2010 Games in Pyeongchang will bring a great change in the winter sports landscape in Asia by expanding existing markets for the winter sports industry and attracting many young people to the sports.
He said, “at present, not many people in Europe and North America know that Pyeongchang is one of the winter sports meccas in Asia. But the area attracts nearly half a million tourists from other Asian nations during the winter season”.
Gong also said that if the Olympics were held in Pyeongchang they could contribute to reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.
He added, “with a potential unified Korean team, Pyeongchang offers a good answer to the possibility of the Olympic movement being instrumental in uniting a nation”.
AIPS president Togay Bayatli told the Korea Times, “I’ve been amazed by the presentation. The only handicap of Pyeongchang was that it was not well known. But in a very short time the bid committee has made great efforts. Now everybody knows Pyeongchang and the bid of Pyeongchang”.
