DURBAN, South Africa (AFP) ― PyeongChang hopes that at the third time of asking it will prevail here on Wednesday and win the right to host the 2018 Winter Olympics and deliver Asia only its third ever Games.
The Koreans have twice finished runners-up ― to Vancouver for 2010 and Sochi for 2014 ― and here they must wait once again to see if at last they have convinced the electorate of International Olympic Committee members that they can host the Games.
Victory would see Asia host the Games for the first time since 1998 in Nagano, the second time Japan had hosted them.
In doing so they must see off the increasingly strong German candidate Munich, bidding to become the first venue to host both the Summer and Winter Games, and the French alpine town Annecy, apparently destined for third place.
Korean President Lee Myung-bak has come to lend his support to the bid, like his late predecessor Roh Moo-hyun did for the 2014 team, but insists he is not here to reap the rewards for himself.
“I wouldn’t make this about personal glory,” said Lee, who is on a three-country whistlestop tour of Africa, starting with talks with South African president Jacob Zuma on Tuesday.
“If we do win the bid it will be a great honor for the country.
“America and Europe have benefited from winter sports, Asia hasn’t had that opportunity. I consider this as my duty and mission to deliver this for Asia.”
For the IOC, the possibility of crossing a new frontier and opening up a lucrative new market in these financially precarious times is a very attractive option.
