A compact two-cluster concept split between the mountains and the coastline is the emphasis behind PyeongChang’s plan to host the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in South Korea.
Leveraging Games bids made in the most recent two quadrennials, bid organizers have listened to feedback, optimized their plans and claim to offer “The most compact concept” according to the 65-page bid book submitted to the International Olympic Committee on Monday.
With a total bid budget of USD$31.5 million ($6 million planned for the applicant phase and a further $25.5 million earmarked should the city be selected to the candidacy phase), the bid team is ready to market this bid based on its small footprint with respect to travel times and environmental sustainability, and for its optimal conditions.
Bid co-chair and Governor of Gangwon Province Jinsun Kim recently told GamesBids.com that the compactness of the current venue plan is the main differentiator from plans submitted for the 2010 and 2014 Games, both narrowly lost to Vancouver and Sochi respectively.
Organizers see multiple benefits from hosting the Games including continued legacies that began with the 1988 Seoul Games; the further development of winter sports and tourism in the region – and across Asia; spreading winter sports activities among youth and promoting cooperation on the Korean Peninsula.
The gem of the plan is the newly-built Alpensia resort that would be home to snow and sliding events as well as the press and broadcast centres, Olympic village, media village and the Olympic stadium. A coastal cluster in Gangneung would host the ice event and have its own Olympic and media village. Some ski event would be held at nearby stand-alone venues but all would be within 30-minutes and would be linked by upgraded roads and rail lines.
In all, six new sports venues will be built adding to seven that already exist. One temporary ice hockey rink will be relocated after the Games and venues for alpine skiing, figure skating/short track, sliding, speed skating and ice hockey will remain as permanent legacies.
The bid document claims that 76,054 hotel rooms are now available in a 50-km radius, and that will increase to 99,478 rooms before the Games begin. During the Games prices are expected to range from $72 to $364.
According to the document, the bid enjoys strong government support and 91.4% support of the population of South Korea – 93% in PyeongChang. All financial guarantees are in place.
The bid estimates that there will be USD$651 million in revenues from the Games including $250 million from domestic sponsorships, $158 million from ticket sales and $145 million in government subsidies.
The bid book lists venue improvement and construction costs at USD$443 million. Transportation upgrades are estimated to be $695 million not including the recently announced national railroad link from Wonju to Gangneung that will cost $2.9 billion.
Most people traveling to the Games by air will arrive at Incheon airport near Seoul – 240km or 140 minutes by rail to the Olympic Stadium that will be constructed below the Alpensia ski jump tower in PyeongChang. There, the opening ceremonies will be held on February 9 and the closing ceremonies on February 25.
PyeongChang 2018 Website avaialble in Korean, English and French
PyeongChang 2018 bid book (large PDF)
