Responding to a report in a U.S. magazine that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was thinking about changing the venues of the 2004 Summer Games from Athens to Seoul, a South Korean official said that Seoul would host the 2004 Games should Athens be unable to do so.
The U.S. magazine had quoted a close aid to IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch.
Lee Hong-Sok, Assistant Culture and Tourism Minister said, “we have received no information from the IOC that it is considering changing the venue. However, should Athens be unable to host the Games, Seoul would be pleased to take the honour”.
Noting that Seoul had successfully staged the 1988 Summer Games “it would not be impossible for us to stage the 2004 Games. We would consider positively (staging the 2004 Games) if there is any official request from the IOC”, he said.
