South Korea's PyeongChang elected as host city of 2018 Olympic Winter Games

South Korea's PyeongChang elected as host city of 2018 Olympic Winter Games

2011-07-07 06:08:19 GMT+7 (ICT)

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA (BNO NEWS) -- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Wednesday elected South Korea's PyeongChang as the host city of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games in 2018.

The announcement ceremony took place in the 123rd Session of the IOC in Durban, South Africa. PyeongChang was selected ahead of the German city Munich and France's Annecy.

"We have a simple vision. We want to help promote the Olympic movement, and grow winter sports to new regions and connect with new audiences," said Cho Yang-ho, chairman of the PyeongChang bid committee. "We are glad that the IOC members understood this message and believed that the time was right to give us the Winter Olympics."

PyeongChang won the bid after receiving 63 votes in the first round against 25 votes by Munich and only 7 by Annecy. IOC President Jacques Rogge congratulated the PyeongChang team and praised the high quality of their file and final presentation.

"PyeongChang presented a strong and inspiring project that enjoys massive support from the government and the public," said Rogge after the ceremony. "I have every confidence that PyeongChang will deliver on its commitment and host excellent Games in 2018."

This was the third attempt of the South Korean city to host the Winter Olympics but the first to be successful. It lost out to Vancouver, Canada for the 2010 Winter Olympics and to the Russia's Sochi for the 2014 edition by a narrow margin (3 and 4 votes respectively).

"PyeongChang will become a new winter sports hub in Asia, allowing athletes and young generations to practice winter sports at home, be exposed to the Olympic Values of Excellence, Friendship, and Respect, and pursue their Olympic dream," added Rogge.

The Host City Contract will be signed shortly. This document sets out the legal, commercial and financial rights and obligations of the IOC, PyeongChang and the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of South Korea in relation to the Olympic Games.

"PyeongChang's inspiring project sets out to have the heart of the Olympic Winter Games beating in the mountains. The IOC looks forward to collaborating with them over the next seven years," concluded Rogge.

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