The South Korean government has pledged its full support for PyeongChang’s 2018 Winter Olympic bid.
Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik said during a bid-support committee meeting Friday that the government will provide financial guarantees for PyeongChang to submit detailed bid files to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) next month. He also called on government bodies to actively cooperate on behalf of PyeongChang’s bid.
The Korea Times reports the government plans to send an official letter guaranteeing its support to the IOC by January 11.
Kim said, “I felt how important a sport event can be when I attended the FIFA World Cup bid in December in Zurich, and also realized the competiveness among the bid nations is very fierce”.
Detailed plans include construction of a railway between Wonju and Gangneung in Gangwon Province near the Winter Games site which is expected to promote PyeongChang as a hub for winter sports.
Officials will reportedly also discuss key factors that require governmental support during the IOC inspection in February, including welcoming visiting dignitaries.
The Prime Minister added, “the success in the Vancouver Winter Games this year helped boost the nation as a winter sports powerhouse. All of the ministries should cooperate and provide support for a successful bid and search for a new frontier for winter sports in Asia”.
Cho Yang-ho, chairman of the bid committee, said he appreciated the government’s full support. He said, “I and the committee will come up with utmost efforts for good news”.
It’s PyeongChang’s third bid for the Winter Olympic Games. PyeongChang is bidding against Munich and Annecy. The 2018 Winter Games host city will be announced July 6 in Durban, South Africa.
