The chief organizer for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics said Monday that efforts are already under way to reduce the cost of running South Korea's first Winter Games.  At a press conference also marking his first anniversary as the head of the organizing committee, Cho Yang-ho said he hopes to learn from the recent Summer Universiade held in another South Korean city, Gwangju.  The multisport competition for student athletes received positive reviews from international officials for its fru

The creative chief of the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics said Monday he will try to stage shows that can help expand the country's cultural influence.  Song Seung-whan, actor-turned-director and head of a local production firm, was named earlier in July as the executive creative director of the ceremonies at South Korea's first Winter Games. Meeting the press for the first time Monday, Song said he will embrace what he thinks will be the biggest challenge

Mark Lippert, U.S. ambassador to Seoul, will be named an honorary ambassador for the top South Korean baseball league, its officials announced Thursday.The Korea Baseball Organization said Lippert will be introduced as its honorary ambassador Saturday during its annual All-Star Game at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, some 45 kilometers south of Seoul.Lippert's love for baseball has been well-documented. Last fall, he attended a game during the Korean Series -- the KBO's championship fin

The central town of Hwaseong will host South Korea's World Cup qualifier against Laos this fall, the national football federation said Wednesday.Hwaseong Sports Complex Main Stadium in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, south of Seoul, will play host to Laos on Sept. 3, the Korea Football Association said. The kickoff time hasn't been determined.It will be South Korea's second match in the ongoing second round of Asian qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.South Korea defeated Myanmar 2-

At the Gwangju Universiade which closes its 12-day run on July 14, a swimmer claimed four gold medals and an artistic gymnast hauled six medals. In addition, an archer established a new world record, while a female sprinter won both 100m and 200m for the first time in 28 years.Shannon VreelandSwimmer Shannon Vreeland from the United States clinched four golds in the women’s 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 4x100 freestyle relay and 4x200 freestyle relay.Aside from the four victories, she took a b

Some athletes at the Gwangju Universiade have moved spectators and other athletes with their indomitable spirit.They’ve overcome personal obstacles to represent their countries in international sports events -- with diseases, poverty or nationality problems not stopping them from giving stellar performances.Thomas Van der Plaetsen, star decathlete of Belgium; Fallon Forde, sprinter of Barbados; In Kyo-don, taekwondo player of the Republic of Korea; and Simon Andrew Capon, foil fencer of Australi

The head of the South Korean athletic delegation to the ongoing Universiade on Monday said he was delighted with the country's unexpected run to the top of the medal table.At a press conference, You Byong-jin said he was also happy to have been a part of the team that will finish first in gold medals at a competition set to conclude Tuesday in Gwangju, a metropolitan city some 330 kilometers southwest of Seoul.South Korea clinched first place with 44 gold medals won through Sunday's events. Chin

South Korean golfer Chun In-gee, who became the newest LPGA major champ here Sunday, remained non-committal about playing full-time on the U.S. circuit next season.Chun captured the U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania, rallying from a four-shot deficit to beat countrywoman Amy Yang by one stroke at eight-under 272.It was Chun's first LPGA major title and came in her U.S. Women's Open debut. Chun, still a member of the Korean LPGA Tour, has earned full-time playing privile

South Korean badminton player Sung Ji-hyun captured the gold medal in the women's singles at the Universiade on Sunday.Sung defeated Porntip Buranaprasertsuk of Thailand 2-0 (21-18, 21-19) in a taut final at Hwasun Hanium Culture Sports Center in Hwasun, South Jeolla Province, just south of the main host city Gwangju.This was Sung's second straight Universiade gold, and South Korea's second of the evening. Shin Seung-chan and Kim Gi-jung earlier won the mixed doubles gold.The two players were ba

Son Yeon-jae won South Korea's first Universiade title in the individual all-around rhythmic gymnastics on Sunday. Son earned a combined 72.550 points in ball, hoop, clubs and ribbon in Gwangju, the host city some 330 kilometers south of Seoul. Ganna Rizatdinova of Ukraine won the silver medal with 71.750 points and Melitina Staniouta of Belarus got bronze with 70.800 points.The 21-year-old led the competition in every apparatus. On Sunday, she started with ribbon, in which she scored 18.050 poi

Gwangju college students aspiring to be flight attendants are presenting medals to the athletes taking the winning podium at the Gwangju Universiade, demonstrating their commitment to the city that is holding its biggest international sporting event.About 200 students from Kwangju Women’s University carry gold, silver and bronze prizes at the medal presentation throughout the event. They come from the Airline Service Department, an academic course where students are trained and learn to become a

The top-seeded South Korean Chung Hyeon captured the Universiade gold medal in the men's singles tennis Sunday.Chung defeated No. 2 seed Aslan Karatsev of Russia 2-1 (1-6, 6-2, 6-0) in the final at Yeomju Indoor Tennis Court in Gwangju.This was the second medal at this Universiade for Chung, the highest-ranked South Korean at No. 79. On Saturday, he and Nam Ji-sung took the silver medal in the men's doubles.Chung is the third straight men's singles champ from South Korea, after Lim Yong-kyu's ba